Ruby Della Porter, 92, of Du Quoin, IL, slipped away on May 28, 2025, ready to embark upon her next adventure. Ruby was born in Du Quoin to James and Maxine Holland on May 29, 1932, the youngest of four daughters. Mrs. Porter was a beloved nurse at Marshall Browning Hospital for many years, where she helped deliver countless babies and comforted numerous ailing and injured patients.
Ruby dedicated more than twenty years to raising children with her first husband, George Emory Crain, whom she married in the summer of 1949. Together, they had two sons and two daughters, all of whom were born on Wednesdays: Harold (Jackie) Crain, Gaye (Phillip) Feazel, Brett (Denise) Crain, and Jane (Wade) Mydler. She was blessed with seven grandchildren, all of whom she adored and who adored her: Stacey Allen, Michelle (Edward) Miller, Lisa (Jamie) Simmons, Kathryn (Jason) Kwiatkowski, Susan Crain, Nathan (Amber) Crain, and Jordan (Jennifer) Crain. Those grandchildren added twelve cherished great grandchildren who have added five great great grandchildren to Ruby's line. Sadly, Ruby endured the devastating loss of her granddaughter, Lisa, and more recently her daughter Jane.
Ruby was predeceased by her beloved husband, Donald Porter, whom she married later in life. She took joy in her role as stepmother to his grown children: Donnie (Chris) Porter, David (Candace) Porter, Cindy (Ron) Reeder, and Alan Porter, who also left too soon. She cared deeply for her step grandchildren and their children. Together, Ruby and Don raised Sugar and Sugartu, two well-loved Shar Pei-mutts.
Additionally, Ruby was predeceased by both parents and her three sisters, Verna Porter, Janetta Eisenhauer, and Elaine Smith, as well as a dear cousin who was much like a sister, Mona Raye Reese. Those sisters bestowed upon her a wealth of nieces and nephews.
Ruby lived no ordinary life. As a young child, she endured The Great Depression and her mother's battle with tuberculosis. Her first job was at the State Theater in the building that now houses Alongi's Restaurant. In the 1950s Ruby started a strict yoga routine that she practiced daily in the family living room in lieu of baking or cleaning. She earned her LPN in the last graduating class of the Southern Illinois University Vocational Technical Institute and then earned her RN as a member of the first graduating class of the Associate Degree in Nursing program at John A. Logan. She was a voracious genealogist and proud member of the Beaucoup Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She wholeheartedly embraced Catholicism when she married Mr. Porter. She traveled far and wide with fun-loving friends and wasted very little of her time on Earth.
A visitation will be held from 9-11 A.M. on Friday May 30, 2025 at Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Gary Darnell and Deacon Tony Kellerman officiating. Funeral services will be held at Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin at 11 A.M. Graveside services will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Du Quoin.
Memorial Donations may be made in Ruby's name to Gold Plate Program Perry County at 721 N. Hickory, Du Quoin IL 62832, or to Southern Illinois Hospice, 204 N. Halfway Road, Marion IL 62959.
The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at Du Quoin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their exceptional care and compassion.