Sturgis | Ruby Irene Oakley, 86 of Sturgis died Monday, September 19, 2016 at the Sturgis Regional Senior Care with her loving husband Bill and daughter Barbara at her side.

She was born July 30, 1930 in Wood, SD to Vere and Maymie Shepard. She spent her childhood years growing up on the ranch and attending school in Wood. After graduating high school, she moved to Rapid City and worked at the J.C. Penny Department Store. It was during this time, she met a young man from New Jersey who was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base by the name of Bill Oakley. It was love at first sight and they were married shortly thereafter. They were blessed with two daughters, Barbara and Karen.

Ruby was an avid painter and an active member of the Black Hills Art Association. She spent countless hours doing what she loved, creating masterpiece paintings of flowers and landscape. In fact, one of her paintings still resides in the Virginia State House.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Bill of Sturgis; daughters, Barbara (Matt) McGuire of Georgia and Karen (Daniel) O'Brien of Virginia; four grandchildren, Amanda McGuire and Sean, Shannon and Riley O'Brien and three sisters, Jean McKee, Anita Becker and Betty Glaser.

Ruby is preceded in death by her parents and one brother.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday, September 22, 2016 at Black Hills Funeral Home in Sturgis.

Graveside services will be 12:00 pm Friday, September 23 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.