Ruby Josephine High

Ruby Josephine High, whose love and kindness blessed the lives of those who had the fortune to know her, passed away on the evening of April 9th at her home in Bluffton, SC at the age of 77.

Born in Wilson, North Carolina on November 25, 1946, to Marvin and Christine High, Ruby was one of thirteen children. In her hometown, she met and married Douglas Fenn in 1964, and together they brought four beautiful children into the world. Shortly before the untimely passing of Douglas in 1978, Ruby and her children moved to Hampton, VA where they made their new home. Years later, while working as a tool clerk at the Newport News Shipyard, she met and fell in love with Lundy Massengill. The two were wed in 1986 and would remain happily married for 18 years. They enjoyed spending time with their blended family, Lundy also a father of four, and hosted countless gatherings filled with warmth and laughter. Christmas was especially dear to her, as she reveled in the joy of decorating the house and meticulously crafting handmade Christmas trees for family, sharing the festive spirit with everyone around her. After Lundy’s unfortunate passing in 2004, Ruby decided to move to the South Carolina Lowcountry, close to her daughters.

Throughout her life, Ruby always found great joy in gardening. Her green thumb brought beauty to every home she graced. If you were ever looking for Ruby, you could count on finding her tending to her flowerbeds, picking out new plants at the store, or relaxing in her backyard swing. She was an avid golfer, often playing with her husband, family, and friends. Ruby's competitive spirit on the greens was matched only by her generosity off of them. She devoted much of her time to volunteering, helping those in need, and supporting the causes she held dear.

A devoted dog mom, Ruby would do anything for her pets. Lina, Lucky, Buddy, Buffy, Shamus and Joey were her pride and joy over the years and brought her much needed companionship. One of her favorite pastimes was watching them play in her yard. But above all, Ruby’s greatest love was her family. She brought light and laughter to the lives of those fortunate enough to have called her sister, mom, grandma, or friend. Be it a competitive game of Rummy or just talking over coffee first thing in the morning, Ruby relished every moment with her family. The love and care she poured into the pages of her scrapbooks and photo albums is a testament to her belief that each memory is a treasure.

Ruby is now reunited in heaven with her parents, Marvin and Christine High; brothers Douglas High, Roger High, Haywood High, and Charles High; sisters Nelda Rash, Marlene Jones, and Connie Webb; and her husbands Douglas Fenn and Lundy Massengill.

She is survived by her brothers Marshall High and Larry High; sisters Shirley Brantley, Suzette Parrish, and Pamela High; her four children, Tristan Fenn, Candance (Candy) Major, Darlene Charest and her husband Matt, and Derek Fenn and his wife Crystal; her eleven grandchildren, Brandon and his wife Alisa, Nicholas (Nicky) and his wife Elizabeth, Zachary and his wife Caroline, Eric and his wife Rebecca, Blake and his wife Courtney, Justin, Christopher, Ruby (Angel), Sofia, and Fenn; and her twelve great-grandchildren, Braelyn, Rylan, Connor, Lyllo, Grady, Anberlin, Adeline, Maverick, Peyton, Liam, Wesley, and Sawyer.

They will carry her love in their hearts, and her memory will live on in every rose and cardinal they come across.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Palmetto Animal League, where Ruby volunteered. Donations can be made at https://palmettoanimalleague.org/donations/person-memorial/.

A celebration of life will be held by Ruby’s family at her home in Bluffton, SC on April 27th, 2024 at 3:00 pm. A service of remembrance will be held at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home in Hampton, VA. Friends and family are encouraged to visit www.rubyhigh.memorial for arrangement details and to share memories.

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