Ruby Sue Sinclair, beloved mother and grandmother, affectionately known as “Hillbilly Mom,” passed away peacefully in her sleep April 21 at Mesilla Valley Hospice after a long illness.
She is fondly remembered for her sharp sense of humor, infectious laugh, love of playing games with family (Uno was a contact sport with Ruby!) and her beautiful quilt designs. Ruby Sue was also an amazing cook specializing in true southern comfort food…just never ask about potato soup.
Born on Dec. 15, 1946, in Pleasant Plains, Ill,, Ruby Sue was one of 12 children, two of whom are still living, Marshall Smith of Campbellsville, KY and Mary Frances Dinsmore, of Las Cruces, NM.
Ruby Sue was an excellent student in her early years and loved music and singing. One of her favorite jobs was at the Pioneer Restaurant, singing with the player piano to entertain diners between her other duties.
She was named after her Aunt Ruby Schroeder and spent every childhood and teen-age summer with her. Some of her fondest memories were of shopping and spending time with Aunt Ruby and Uncle Russell.
Ruby met her future husband, Robert Sinclair, while working as an A&W carhop in Illinois. After they married, Robert joined the United States Air Force and they had two children, Robert Wayne Sinclair and Shari Jean Sinclair-Forbis, who were born in North Carolina and New Mexico, respectively. In 1979, the family shipped out to Rhein-Main AFB in Germany.
The Sinclairs’ happiest years were there, where they immersed themselves in the German USAF community and local customs such as community volksmarches, which were 10k walks through the woods with food stations and beer for the adults.
The Sinclairs eventually returned to Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, where Ruby Sue worked as an accountant, then later as an executive assistant with the Mariachi Conference in Las Cruces. She was the consummate professional, with meticulous attention to detail and a sharp eye for fashion.
Ruby Sue is survived by her two children and their spouses, Robert Wayne (Kathy) and Shari Jean (David), and four grandchildren, D’Artagnan Wayne Sinclair of Durand, WI, Megan Teeuwen of Murfreesboro, TN, Lucas Sinclair, of Mankato, MN, and Thomas Forbis, of Jefferson City, MO.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society.
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