Ruby Franco

Ruby Ramirez Franco, 77, of Robstown, Texas, passed away Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. She was born April 4, 1939 in Driscoll, Texas to Arturo Ramirez and Estella Rowland Ramirez. The Ramirez children went to school at El Nopal Grade School, where all the hispanic kids went up to the 5th grade. It was hard because the children didn’t speak english and the teachers didn’t speak spanish. In 1950 the family moved from Driscoll to Robstown. In Robstown, Ruby made a lot of friends and loved to dance and sing. After graduating from high school, Ruby married Eradio V. Franco. She became a beautician and later pursued an education in nursing. After receiving her LVN license in 1970, she worked nights at Spohn Hospital in the neonatal unit while going to school during the day to become an RN. She received her RN license in November, 1972. She also worked at Riverside Hospital and for Dr. Bruce’s private practice in Annaville for several years. She made a change in her career, getting a job as a state surveyor for the Department of Health for nursing homes for 15 years. She was known to be tough, but fair and was always a patient advocate. She was a stickler for patient care and traveled all over South Texas. She went into her own consulting business as a consultant for nursing homes and was sought by many nursing homes for her expertise. At that time, there were not many agencies and GCI became one of the largest agencies in South Texas with over 200 employees. She took pride in her staff and hired people she had known for years working as a nurse. Ruby was loyal to her employees and her clients and would help her staff and patients anyway she could. She also operated GCI Adult Day Care Center where she interacted with her clients on a daily basis. This is where her passion for music emerged. Eventually, Ruby began singing with Chano Cadena. They recorded several CD’s and she was very proud and had a loyal following of their own. She continued to work as a consulting nurse for several agencies, even after she had four back surgeries. She also continued her love of music. Ruby worked up to a week before being diagnosed with cancer on September 15, 2015. She was a fighter and pursued every treatment available to her with optimism, longing to go back to work. Love of family was above all else important to her. Our mother had a deep impact in not only our lives, but in the lives of many. Her hobbies were gardening, singing, gambling (she loved Vegas) with an amazing sense of style and therefore loved to shop. She was beautiful inside and out and will truly be missed. We love you Mom! She was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson, Dustin H. Knoblauch. She is survived by her children, Julie (Roland) Knoblauch, Ronnie (Cathy McFatter) Franco and Cindy Franco; her sister, Marilu Ramirez; her brothers, Arthur (Janie) Ramirez and Joe (Sylvia) Ramirez; grandchildren, Ashley Knoblauch, Peyton Franco and Paige Franco; numerous nieces and nephews. The Rosary will be recited at 7 P.M. Friday, August 26, 2016 at Sawyer-George Funeral Home Chapel. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 P.M. Saturday, August 27, 2016 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church on FM 624 with Rev. Bill Marquis as celebrant. Services will conclude at the church.