Ruby Frances Pugh

Ruby Frances Heinen Pugh, 83, of George West, passed away on September 11, 2026, in George West surrounded by her family. She was born in Three Rivers, TX on December 7, 1942, to Gerhard Heinen and Irma (Braune) Heinen, graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1961. Ruby married Jim C. Pugh on July 14, 1962, at St George Catholic Church in George West, TX after being engaged for only 3 days. They bought a home just outside of George West where they raised four children and lived for 57 years.

As a teenager, Ruby was a waitress at Ray’s Café in Three Rivers. Upon graduation, Ruby attended beautician school in Corpus Christi where she received her beautician license and later opened her own beauty salon in George West. Once she had her children, she was a stay-at-home mom. After Ruby’s mother-in-law, Eva Pugh, passed in 1980, she began baking cakes. She baked many wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and quinceanera cakes for the people of Live Oak County and for her family. Ruby was a substitute teacher at GWISD in the mid-1980s and then accepted a full-time teacher’s aide position at George West Elementary in 1985. Many may remember her as the school crossing guard, a title that she enjoyed for many years until her retirement in 2000. Ruby was so talented and creative, and she truly loved the arts. She enjoyed many hobbies including photography, painting, sewing, quilting, gardening, woodworking, and dancing with her husband. She also loved to play card games and dominoes with her grandchildren, fishing, watching the Dallas Cowboys, and smoking her Virginia Slims.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jim C. Pugh; her sisters Jean Buehring, Joyce Liska, Mabel Kotara, Helen Guynes; her brother Johnnie Heinen; her grandsons Jason Dale Pugh and Hunter James Emerson.

She is survived by her two sons, James G. Pugh of Sinton and Sam (Tammy) Pugh of Sugar Land; her two daughters, Julie (Tony) Kaase and Bridget (Travis) Emerson, both of George West. She was blessed with 14 grandchildren, Dalton Wytovak, Savannah Pugh, Mason Pugh, Michael Byler, James Franklin, Ryan Kaase, Jacob (Kailie) Kaase, David (Raynie) Kaase, Travis W. Emerson, Elizabeth (Lainey) Emerson, Ashlyn Pugh, Gracie Pugh, James E. Pugh, and Maurio Edwards-Pugh; and 2 great-grandchildren, Ryder & Parker Kaase.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Galloway & Sons Chapel in George West. A Rosary will be recited later that evening at 7:00 p.m. with Father Romeo officiating.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at St. George Catholic Church with Father Romeo officiating. Burial will follow at Gussettville Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Kaase, Jacob Kaase, David Kaase, Elizabeth Emerson, James E. Pugh, Maurio Edwards-Pugh, Mason Pugh, and Dalton Wytovak.

Honorary Pallbearers are Ashlyn Pugh, Gracie Pugh, Travis W Emerson, and Savannah Pugh

Her family would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers at Live Oak Nursing Home and New Century Hospice that helped to take care of her.

Donations may be made to the Gussettville Cemetery Association.