Ruby Fannin

Ruby Pearl Kiser Fannin, 86, formerly of Murray, Ky., died Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at Alexian Village Health Care Center, near Chattanooga, Tenn., following a long illness. She was born into a large family in Hilda, Ky., the daughter of Hiram and Fannie Jane Kiser, on Aug. 30, 1930. Ruby graduated from Morehead High School in 1948, “valedictorian of my high school class," then attended business college in Portsmouth, Ohio, where she met the love of her life, Talmadge E. Fannin, newly returned from World War II. They were married in Greenup, Ky., on Dec. 29, 1949. She, her husband, and growing family, spent the next 20 years traveling and living around the world and the country in various postings with the military. After Mr. Fannin’s retirement from the Air Force, the family moved to Panorama Shores in Murray, Ky., where Ruby lived until after the death of her husband. She was a skilled homemaker, cook, and quilter, and was devoted to raising her three sons. She was a den mother in the Cub Scouts for all her boys, and a Sunday School and vacation bible school teacher. A member of Memorial Baptist Church, she was active in outreach ministries to international students and their families at Murray State University. She enjoyed being outdoors, planted a large garden as long as she was able, and was an avid fisherwoman and boater with her husband on Kentucky Lake. Mrs. Fannin was preceded in death by her husband, Talmadge E. Fannin, of Portsmouth, Ohio and Murray, Ky. Also preceding her in death were her parents, Hiram Ashbrook and Fannie Jane Roberts Kiser; four brothers, Chester, Elbert “Jeff," Joseph “Wayne," Charles “Edd," and two sisters, Goldie Keyes and Pauline Mellott. Survivors include her three sons, Dr. Timothy E. Fannin and wife, Andrea, of South Deerfield, Mass., Dr. Quentin L. Fannin and wife, Dr. Patricia Jackson, of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Dr. Harry B. Fannin and wife, Debra, of Murray, Ky.; also surviving are seven grandchildren, Ian, Megan, Erin, Logan, Hilary, Ashley (Todd) Grooms, and Andrew, as well as a great-grandchild, Maximus; four sisters also survive Ruby’s death, Mrs. Olive Wetsel, Muncie, Ind., Ms. Lillian Kiser, Morehead, Ky., Mrs. Betty (Gene) Hall, Wallingford, Ky., and Mrs. Louella Selby, Flemingsburg, Ky.; many devoted nieces and nephews also mourn her passing. Funeral services will be held at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home in Murray today, March 25, 2017, at 11 a.m. with visitation preceding from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Dr. Jerrell White and Rev. Martin Severns will officiate. Burial will follow at Murray Memorial Gardens. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Memorial Baptist Church Kentucky Changers. The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers at Alexian Village Heath Care Center and Alexian Valley Residence for their excellent and attentive care of Ruby over the past several years. Online condolences can be left at, www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com.