Ruby Lee Green, 84, of McKinney, was called home to heaven on Friday, February 28, 2014 at Park Manor – McKinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following a long battle with cancer. Known to many as “Queen of Lively Hill,” Ruby had a sweet spirit that transcended racial and economic diversity. As a child, she picked cotton alongside many of McKinney’s youth who went on to become honored for their role in the fight for equality. But Ruby’s life-goals were simpler – she lived a color-blind existence. Ruby was raised and lived much of her adult life in a shack that had no running water or electricity and a dirt floor on McKinney’s far-east side. In 2000, a chance meeting with a founding member of North Collin County Habitat for Humanity led to the shack being demolished and replaced with a mobile home provided by a group of philanthropic residents throughout Collin County. She was the subject of countless newspaper articles and television stories that recalled her life’s story – including a heartfelt video recollection of McKinney’s most important citizens that was created to reflect on the city’s past.

She was preceded in death by her father, C.L. Kelly; mother, Jewel Kelly; husband, Fredrick Green; and life partner, Willie Charles (W.C.) Ratway. Ruby is survived by many close friends and neighbors on Lively Hill; staff, homeowners, volunteers, donors and Board of Directors at North Collin County Habitat for Humanity; God-Daughter Betty Johnson; and God-niece Rhonda Ratway.

A memorial service, with a reception, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 Virginia Parkway, McKinney, Texas. A graveside service will follow the reception at Ross Cemetery.  Mrs. Green will lie in repose on Monday, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas, where friends may pay their respects and sign a register book.

Gifts in lieu of flowers may be sent to North Collin County Habitat for Humanity, 2060 Couch Drive, McKinney, TX 75069.