Ruby June Stoddart

Ruby June Stoddart, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on December 24, 2025.

Ruby was born on February 26, 1944 to Jack Harris and Reeda “Jeanette” Cooper Harris in Laurel County, Kentucky. She had a tumultuous early childhood, and, at around age eight, she and two of her sisters were placed in the care of the Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky. Although she was separated from several of her other siblings, the years she spent at the Henderson settlement were the most stable years of her early childhood. She often told stories about her time there and the different field trips she went on. Her favorite was when they went to Atlantic City for a Paul Anka show and she saw a horse jump from a high diving board into a swimming pool. She also had fond childhood memories of playing in streams, climbing trees, and reading books.

As a teenager, she left the Henderson Settlement and lived with her sister Bertha in Harlan, Kentucky until she graduated from Harlan County High School in 1962. After high school, she took a bus to West Palm Beach, Florida where she met her first husband and lived for 40 years. While in West Palm Beach, she was primarily a homemaker, raised her four children, and enjoyed playing tennis and going to the beach. In 2002, she moved to Gainesville, Florida where she lived for 23 years. Later in life, she enjoyed reading, watching movies and court TV, cooking, gardening, beating people at card games, shopping at TJ Maxx, and bragging about her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Noah Harris and Garrett Harris; beloved sister, Bertha Nunn; and son, Michael Rodney Bennett. She also survived her two ex-husbands by several years, contradicting the notion that only the good die young.

She leaves behind her siblings, Etta Johnson, Anna Sue Vanover, Shirley Ruth Harris, Linda Gail Harris, Harold “Eddie” Gilbert, Sandra Gilbert, and Debbie Moore; daughters, Debra Bennett-Austin, Vicki Favre, and Tammy Bennett; grandchildren, Michael Bennett, Branden Favre, Jordan Beard, Amber Favre, Hannah Favre, Logan Beard, Matthew Bennett, Ruby Ann Shealy, Carley Davidson, and Margaret Shealy; great-grandchildren, Mia Porcelain, Talon Bennett, Brody Bennett, Jaxton Spivey, Nolyn Favre, Jameson Johnston, Mason Bennett, Kylan Johnston, and Eleanor Bennett; great-great-grandchild, Dennis Porcelain IV; and stepson, Jason Stoddart. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Ruby was our family matriarch and the glue holding everyone together. Her impact on the lives of those closest to her was profound and her passing is an immeasurable loss. Even more so since she never shared her meatloaf recipe.

As per her request, there is no memorial service planned.