Ruby Louise Masters passed away to be with our Lord Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005 at Ranch Terrace Nursing Home. Ruby was born to Lee and Lillian Ockerman on Dec. 12, 1921 in Kiefer, where she spent her entire childhood, and graduated from Kiefer High School in 1939 as Valedictorian of her class. After a 10 year absence, Ruby returned to Kiefer in 1961, following her husband's retirement from the U.S. Army. Ruby subsequently became employed with the U.S. Postal Service and spent many years working at the Kiefer and Jenks Post Offices until her retirement.
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Milton Masters; her father and mother, Lee and Lillian Ockerman; brothers Robert and Merrel Ockerman; and sister Thelma Ockerman.
Ruby is survived by her son Terry Masters, of Sapulpa; two sisters Bonnie Scott, of Coweta, and Ruth Fix, of Valley Center, Calif.; four granddaughters; three great-grandsons; five great-granddaughters; and three great-great-grandsons.
In November 1942, Ruby became a Rosie the Riveter at the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Burbank, Calif., fastening rivets in the wings of P-38 Fighters, where she remained until the war ended.
Upon her return to Oklahoma following the war, she soon met and married her husband, Milton Masters. Thus began her life as an Army wife, which involved being stationed at various stateside postings, but also included in 1951 a two-year tour at Camp Cavite, Manila Bay, on the Philippine Islands. There was also a three-year tour in Heidelberg, Germany in 1956.
Of the many memories and possessions Ruby gathered around the world and throughout the years, that of which she was most proud and for which she held her greatest love were her four granddaughters, Terri, Kathy, Toni and Jeanie; for whom she thought the sun couldn't rise until they had. Undoubtedly, she is watching over them still.
Funeral services for her are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 2005 at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Roy Blackmore officiating. Interment will be in Green Hill Memorial Gardens under the direction of Smith Funeral Home.
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