Obituary of Ruby Ann Leach

Ruby Ann Lester was born on August 28, 1937, in Tazewell, Tennessee. She was one of eight children born to the union of Lon L. Lester and Viola (Buchanan) Lester.  As a young girl, Ruby came to Monroe, Michigan where she made her home. 

On April 9, 1955, at the home of Reverend James Hosch, Ruby married the love of her life: Merlin Leach. Ruby and Merlin were the first couple to be married by Reverend Hosch. Together they were blessed with two beautiful daughters: Pamela and Patricia.  She was a proud founding member of the Monroe Apostolic Church now known as Gracepoint United Pentecostal Church.  Ruby enjoyed serving others.  She often lent a helping hand to the ladies at church making peanut brittle for the church fundraiser, visiting local nursing homes with her husband, or spending time at the Camp Lord Willing RV Park treating camp-goers with her beautiful voice. 

Ruby liked watching game shows and her favorites shows included “Wheel of Fortune”, “Jeopardy”, and “The Price is Right”.  Ruby made sure to always look her best.  She pampered herself getting her hair done at the local or shopping at different stores like Sears, Dillards, and Elder-Beerman. She also liked to eat out with Big Boy and Cracker Barrel being her favorite choices.  She never missed an opportunity to peruse the Cracker Barrel gift shop. 

Ruby once had the opportunity to visit the Grand Ole Opry.  Her trip was fondly recalled for many years as she was entertained on the stage by Minnie Pearl and Loretta Lynn.  Of all things in this life nothing brought a smile to Ruby’s face faster than spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Gathering together to share a meal such as on Thanskgiving and Christmas or having the children parade around in their Halloween costumes was family time that she cherished.

Ruby Ann Leach, age 86 of Monroe passed away on Thursday; April 25, 2024 at the ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital, Her passing was preceded by her parents: Lon and Viola Lester; her husband of sixty-one years of marriage: Merlin Leach; two sisters: Margaret Lewis and Betty Davis; and three brothers: Robert, Jack and Edward Lester.

To cherish her memory she leaves two daughters: Pamela Hall of Newport, Michigan and Patricia (Rick) Newman of Angola, Indiana; a sister: Louise Baltrip of Monroe; four grandchildren: Angel (Jawad) Jawad, Kristy (Jon) Porter, Buddy (Ryan Ketterer) Olson, and Kira Murray; six great grandchildren: Brianna Grew, Miranda Gonyon, Maryam and Yunis Jawad, Kagen Gripman, and Lucas Porter; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may gather from 11:00am until 12:00pm on Monday; April 29, 2024, at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe, 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Ruby’s Life will take place at 12:00pm also at Merkle’s with Pastor David McGreggor of Athens Missionary Baptist Church in Walbridge, Ohio officiating. Procession will follow to Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle for Entombment.

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