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World War II Veteran Honoree, National WWII Memorial, Washington, D.C.

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Ruby Beatrice Powell, of Vacaville, passed away peacefully Jan. 30, at the age of 94. She was born
March 9, 1919 in Manchester, Grant Co., Oklahoma and attended GORE Consolidated School #1 where
she played guard on the girls' intramural basketball team. After graduating high school in 1937, Ruby
moved to Idaho where she worked at the local phone company. She later relocated to southern
California to work at Douglas Aircraft, and then in 1943, enlisted in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps.
After receiving basic training at Daytona Beach, FL, she served overseas during WWII in Casablanca and
Tunis, North Africa and in Caserta, Italy as a Technician 5th Grade in the 6718th WAC Headquarters
Platoon. She was a telephone operator near the front lines.
After the war ended, Ruby moved back to Oklahoma and married Edgar L. Powell of Anthony, Kansas,
and began her career as a wife and mother. After the birth of their second daughter in 1953, the family
relocated to California, where Ruby remained until her passing. Along the way, she raised two daughters
and one son, helped with the family grocery business in Modesto, was an active member in the Church of Christ, teaching Sunday Bible School and leading Bible studies, and served as a house parent at Sierra Children's Home in Vacaville. Her midwest upbringing made it easy for her to make friends wherever she went. She was a true homebody and enjoyed being at home with her family around her.
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar L. Powell; parents, Robert M. and Eithel G. Gillaspy; siblings, Goldie, Marion, Mildred, Arthur, George, Marvin and Robert. She was survived by sisters, Lil Morrison and Arlene Healy; children, [daughter - living], [daughter - living], [son - living]
A funeral service for Ruby will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Vaca Hills Chapel, 524 Elmira Rd., Vacaville. She will be interred at the Vacaville-Elmira Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the Church of Christ, 401 Fir St., Vacaville, CA 95688.
Vaca Hills Chapel Funeral Home 707-446-3233 www.vacahillschapel.com.