Ruby Jean Jones Keith, 87, of Jesup, Ga. passed away, Tuesday, October 29, 2024 under the care of Hospice of South Georgia. The Clinch County native was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Jesup where she taught Sunday School when her girls were young and she also worked with the UnF youth group and high school students and served on numerous other committees.  She was a 1955 graduate of Jesup High School where she was in the band, played basketball, and president of the Yellow Jackets Sports Club. This was the year Wayne County won the first every state championship and she stated "this was the best year ever".  After graduation, she attended Valdosta State College and Georgia Southern and earned advanced degrees in General Education, Special Education for Gifted Students and Remedial Students as well as Technical and Adult Education. She was instrumental in implementing the program for gifted students at Odum Elementary and Jesup Elementary schools but later returned to teaching Georgia History at the junior high level. She ended her education career at the college level with Altamaha Technical College where she worked with the general education programs. Her career at the college was perhaps her favorite level of teaching. She was awarded "Master Teacher" and was the first professor of a technical college in Georgia to teach live on pubic television, teaching Psychology 101. She became a member of many professional organizations at the state and national levels and was named Vice President of Instructional Services at Coastal Pines where she remained until she retired after 30 years of combined educational experience. Regarding her career as a teacher, "I always looked forward to going to work". She was very active in civic and community groups and also enjoyed supporting her grandchildren in sporting events. She was part of sewing and wedding planning for many years with her sisters at Pat's Bridal Shop where they helped to execute many weddings in South Georgia. She is predeceased by her husband, Jerry Willis Keith; her daughter, Melanie Dart; her parents, Charles Box Jones and Ruby Irene Thagard Jones; siblings, Dr. Charles Thagard Jones, Bessie Patricia Jones (Stetson) Bennett, and Peggy Elizabeth Jones Payne.

Survivors include two daughters, Sarah Copeland and Lucy Dart of Jesup; 4 grandchildren, Carlie (Joey) Farmer of Blackshear, Cary (Brittney) Yarbrough of Odum, Cole Copeland of Jesup, and Cale (Chelsea) Copeland of Jesup; 6 great grandchildren, Caylee Copeland, Carson Yarbrough, Mac Farmer, Jolie Farmer, Jacie Farmer, and J.T. Farmer; numerous additional nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at  11:00 a.m. Friday, November 1, 2024 at Jesup United Methodist Church with Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton officiating. Private family interment will follow in Jesup City Cemetery.  Active pallbearers will be family.

Family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 a.m. prior to services at the church.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, GA 31545 or to Jesup First United Methodist Church, 205 E. Cherry Street, Jesup, GA 31546.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.