On Nov. 24, 2021, our dearly beloved mom, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away in Boise, Idaho due to COVID.

Ruby Diane Priest was born on Jan. 29, 1951 in John Day to Jean and Willard Smith joining her big brother, Jim Smith.

She grew up in John Day and later moved to Mtn. Grove, Mo. with her mom after her parents got divorced. 

Ruby was married three times in her life, first was to Wayne Warner at the age of 17. She divorced prior to Tammy’s birth.

She moved to Burns and where she met Jody Priest. They got married and Ruby gave birth to Jody Diann (Heidi) Priest. After raising both girls, Diann and Judy divorced.

Several years later, Ruby met Bill Henley and although they were married for a short time, they ended up staying together for almost 20 years.

She was always a busy body. She loved hunting and fishing and over the last 10 years of her life, she joined her brother in entering bass tournaments.

During her first year she won absolutely every tournament and was so excited. She did that for about eight years, until she was hired as a mail route carrier taking the place of Jeannie Bennett. She continued doing that until she came down with COVID and left us.

She was a very lovable, happy go lucky person and she could talk anyone’s leg off!! And man did she ever have a collection of rocks!!

Ruby Diane Priest is survived by her partner, Bill Hanley; her two daughters, Tammy and Heidi; seven grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. She will truly be missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Burns, by the Aspens, on Saturday, Jan. 29 at noon. 

She would have turned 71-years-old and her wishes were to be cremated and her ashes spread at Lake Owyhee, at The Honeycombs, her favorite place to fish. 

All are welcome to attend her departure. She was loved so much, by so many and will be missed by all of us so much.