Ruby D. Hixon (86)recently of Franklin, TN peacefully departed this world on November 30, 2021. She was born Ruby Drucilla Bowen to James Andrew and Bertha Marie on March 29, 1935, in Deerfield, MO. She was married to William K. (Bill)Hixon on August 30, 1952. The Bill and Ruby team became true entrepreneurs who cultivated several successful businesses, the most notable being Style Rite Furniture.
They purchased a failing furniture store in Aurora, CO and with their business acumen, hard work, and determination, built it into a prosperous enterprise. But they were both from the heartland and decided that Fort Scott was where they wanted to raise their sons. So, in 1968, they bought a dilapidated barn on the south side of town and converted it into what we all knew as the Furniture Barn. After a couple more decades in business at that location, they retired and enjoyed several years of traveling the country in their motorhome.
But their hometown, Fort Scott, again called to them and they settled once again on Lake Fort Scott. Then Bill’s love for the Rocky Mountains drew them to find homes in the mountains but Ruby’s love of warm weather and golf sent them to Bella Vista, AR. Ruby lost her beloved husband of 55 years in 2007 and had difficulty finding her “forever” home until moving to the Nashville, TN area to be near her middle son, Mitch, and daughter-in-law, Lyn who lovingly watched over her until her passing.
Ruby is survived by her sons Mark (Mary Misasi), Mitch (Lyn Eshelbrenner), and Mike (Sherri Ruby), five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and her sister, Emma Frederick of Bella Vista, AR.
A celebration of her life will be held on December 17, 2021, at the Cheney Witt Funeral Home in Fort Scott, KS. Visitation will be from9:00 AM to 10:00 AM with a memorial service from10:00 AM to 10:45 AM. The family will attend a gravesite service at the Fort Scott National Cemetery where Ruby will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Bill. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to one of Ruby’s favorite causes: macular degeneration disease research. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook atcheneywitt.com.
