Ruby Linwood Nichols McKie Sears, 83, passed away peacefully at home. Born in the Linwood community in Yazoo County, her parents were A.N. Nichols I and Edith Linwood Pepper Nichols. She was one of seven children. Survivors include Betty Nichols Thigpen of Cleveland, MS and Arthur Siegel Nichols of Linwood, MS. After attending MSCW (what is now MUW), she became a wife to the late Dr. Will T. McKie, Jr. originally from Clarksdale, MS and subsequently mother of James William McKie of Alma, WI and Edith Linwood McKie Hill of Clinton, MS. She was also a proud grandmother to William Aubrey Hill and Christopher Todd Hill, and great grandmother to Autumn Rose Hill.
She served as Sunday School teacher, Cub Scout leader, Brownie Scout leader, Starkville Junior Auxiliary President for four years, and was a member of the Starkville Garden Club. While her daughter was in junior high and high school, Ruby was a faithful band chaperone for every event her daughter’s band participated in. During the 17 years she worked as an accomplished event planner for the National Bank of Commerce, she entertained dignitaries from all over the world, whether creating the food or organizing luncheons, receptions, and other meals plus setting up for retreats that NBC directors attended periodically. Some of her social enjoyments over the years were two bridge clubs that contained friends she met when at MSCW and a Rook club. Some of her hobbies before she began working out-side the home were golfing and oil painting.
After several years as a widow, she remarried in 1990 to Dr. Harlan Harrison Sears, resulting in a large family of children, grandchildren, and great-children who greatly admire and love her immensely. His children include Cynthia Reid Robinson (Ross), Plano TX, Rebecca Sears Phyfer (Cy), Plano TX, Angie Sears Pirok (Paul), Dallas TX, Martha Sears Scott (David), Plano, TX, and Matthew Bullard Sears, West Point, MS. Grandchildren include Anne Harlan Phyfer Latino (Russ), Cy Phyfer, Harrison Reid (Jane), Elizabeth Reid, Frank Pirok, John Pirok, Caroline Scott, and Bryson Scott. Greatgrandchildren include Russell Latino IV and Margaret Grace Latino.
After this second marriage, she relished travel with Barney to many locales in the Southern United States, particularly south Florida and the Panhandle of Florida.
Funeral services will be at 2 o’clock, Wednesday, March 01, with visitation beginning at 1 o’clock at Welch Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Oktibbeha Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 106 E Lampkin St, Starkville, MS 39759