Ruby Sarah Barker Hodge

Ruby Sarah Barker Hodge, 99, of Ashland, KY, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, KY.

Ruby was born on June 13, 1927, in Gimlet, KY, to the late Dempsey and Ida Sparks Barker.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of sixty-four years, Thomas Richard Hodge; her daughter, Latisa Roark; brother, Russell Barker; her sisters and brothers-in-law: Ruth (James) Kinster, Lois “Clema” (Jerry) Keller, and Alice “Sue” (Chester) DeHart; her son-in-law, Harry “Ron” Broam; and a grandson, Clayton S. Broam.

Ruby had the honor of becoming a Kentucky Colonel in 1980. She retired from the Ashland Public School System after more than forty years of teaching which began in a one-room schoolhouse in Elliott County, KY, and the last twenty-eight years in the same classroom at Crabbe Elementary. She was also a talented artist. She was a member of the KY Creative Art Club and was awarded Water Colorist of the Year in 2003 and Artist of the Year in 2004. She was also a member of the Tri-State Art Association. Her artwork has been shown at several locations over the years, including her self-portrait featured as the lead painting in the state art tour and a one-person art show at the Grayson Art Gallery in 2015. She was a member of Bridges Church, formerly Russell Christian Church, for over fifty years.

She is survived by her daughter, Tamra Broam of Ashland, KY; a grandson, Clinton Hodge of Ashland, KY; three granddaughters, Cassandra (Casey) Hamilton of Ashland, KY, Alyssa Roark of Ashland, KY, and Samantha (August) Lasko of Morehead, KY; three great-grandchildren: Addison, Raegan, and EJ Hamilton; one sister, Virgie Barker of Crestline, OH; lifelong friend, Sarah Burton of Ashland, KY, and a host of extended family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at noon on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at Bailey Family Funeral Home in Flatwoods, KY, with August Lasko officiating. Burial will follow at the Barker Family Cemetery in Elliott County, KY.

Visitation will be one hour before the service on Sunday at the funeral home.

Condolences can be expressed at www.baileyfamilyfuneralhome.com.