Ruby Lee Piper

Ruby Lee Summerlin Piper, our precious wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, went to be with the Lord on October 5, 2022, one day before her 83rd birthday. Ruby was born on October 6, 1939, to Robert Lee Summerlin and Annie Summerlin Atchison. She was raised in Forest, Mississippi, and spent her rural childhood making corncob dolls and flour sack dresses with her sisters. She began working at an early age in the restaurant industry, where she was known for her serious work ethic. She was always busy, efficient, and attentive to details. This led to her long career as a manager of several restaurants, and she was often sent to revive struggling restaurants because of her ability to “run a tight ship” and to care for her employees and customers. Ruby’s greatest care and effort was always given to her family, and to her beloved grandchildren especially. She worked for many long, difficult years to sacrificially provide for her children, so she truly cherished the time that she was free to enjoy her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to bake with them and sing songs to them, and she knew all the old country folk songs and favorite hymns. Even as Alzheimer’s slowly stole her away, she continued to love her hymn book, Bible, church, and family. Ruby had a special knack for making things beautiful, and her beauty will be greatly missed. Ruby is preceded in death by her son, David Piper; parents, Robert Summerlin and Annie Atchison; brother, Grady Summerlin; and sisters, Lela Kuykendall and Laura Goodwin. She is survived by her loving husband, Henry Piper; daughters, Stella McNeer (Carlton), Tracy Duke (Richard), and Toni Moore (Coy); son, Phillip Piper (Kim); brothers, Jim Summerlin (Donna) and John Summerlin (Reta); 11 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 7 from 10-11 AM at Wilmer Baptist Church, followed by service at 11 AM. Interment will be held in Wilmer Cemetery. Pallbearers are Dustin Curtis, Jonathan Duke, Justin Piper, Cory Piper, Zac Piper, Evan Moore, Nate Bell, and Todd Hoffman. Honorary pallbearers are Roy Pearce and TJ Averett.

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Ruby Lee Piper

October 6, 1939 - October 5, 2022