Ruby Lee Gandy (89) a resident of Hampton, Virginia transitioned from this life to her celestial home on Wednesday April 12th at 3:37a.m. surrounded by family at the Adler Center in Aldie, Virginia under the loving care of the highly trained and outstanding medical professionals there.

Ruby was born on February 28, 1934, to parents George Thomas and Christine Hart in Bocas del Toro, Republic of Panama. She was a member of Queen Street Baptist Church in Hampton Virginia and in her healthier days, she served on the Hospitality Committee where she would exercise two of her gifts, "cooking and serving others."  Ruby was an entrepreneur who had exceptional cooking skills that she used in catering 5-star dishes that were known all over the country and beyond.  She was a very creative person who saw things that she was able to bring to life and they were evident, from her cooking to home décor to her creations as a seamstress.  She loved all people, but her community, the Panamanian community were in her heart and just a phone call away.  They gathered often to celebrate life and friendship together. Ruby had a special place in her heart for her children and grandchildren and did her best to ensure that they knew that.

She was a devoted Mother, sister, aunt, grandmother/great grandmother, and wife.  She was preceded in eternal rest by her husband John W. Gandy (Alabama), her sons Federico Gandy (Los Angeles, CA) and Jerome Gandy (Hampton, VA), her daughter Edilma Hardy(Hampton, VA), and her siblings Theophilus (Lindel), Dennis (Jack), Ines, Daphney, Jeremiah (Jerry), Daisy, and Caleb, all from the Republic of Panama.

She is survived by her sons Lorhland Gandy (Louise) of Stafford VA, Andre Gandy (Diann) of Hampton VA, sister-in-law Norma Steele, son-in-law Sonny Hardy (Hampton VA), her grandchildren April Hardy (Hampton, VA), Alex Hardy(Brooklyn, NY), Willie Gandy (Kristen) (Louisville, KY), Sharina Smallwood (Stephen) (Goldsboro , NC), Shalonda Gandy (Clarksville, TN), Patrice (Hampton, VA) and Isaiah Thomas (Atlanta, GA), Damaris Gandy(Hollywood, CA), Nicole Davis (Justin) and great-grandchildren Tiana (Minneapolis, MN) and Selena Avery (Richmond, VA), Taj, Akil, Akintunde, and  Nassor Smallwood (Goldsboro NC) and her newest greatgrandchild Kaius Lorhland Gandy (Louisville KY).  She also leaves to cherish a host of nieces and nephews, extended family and friends whom she loved dearly.

Viewing will be held Saturday, May 6, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th Street, Newport News, Va. The homegoing service will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m.  The interment will be performed at Hampton Memorial Gardens at 1:00p.m. The repass will take place immediately following the internment at the Scottish Rites Masonic Center located at 65 Saunders Road
Newport News, VA 23601