Ruby E. Drinnen
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Miss Ruby E. Drinnen - age 90 of Strawberry Plains completed her journey on earth and arrived in Heaven on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Member of Beech Springs Baptist Church. I have no doubt that there were shouts on the Hills of Glory as she was welcomed home. The people that Miss Ruby positively impacted in her lifetime were too many to count. As she quietly whispered her way through life, Miss Ruby gave unconditional love to her students and to her family. Her 38 years at the Knox County School System were so special. It was as if she became a member of that community and each child held a place in her heart. Years after her retirement, Miss Ruby still talked fondly about those youngsters who were in her classrooms. It would be impossible to name the young teachers that Miss Ruby reached out to mentor. With soft words and firm guidance, she seemed to know how to assist others in understanding the importance of meeting the needs of their students. She was a woman of purpose who was full of fierce determination and commitment to effective teaching and learning processes. Miss Ruby believed in the importance and power of a good education. Miss Ruby loved mission work and lived a Christian life of commitment. She was a prayer warrior who was willing to give tirelessly of herself in church work. She was also deeply committed to the community and gave countless hours to projects in both Sevier and Knox counties. She had a special way of leading others to get involved in those same projects. She knew the power of leading by example. Miss Ruby loved her family with fervor. Each child was of great importance and she was at her happiest taking care of the little ones when they came to visit. Her house was a treasure trove of toys, books, and activities. Holidays and many Sundays brought the entire Drinnen family to her home on Thorngrove Pike for feasting and times of celebration. Miss Ruby's excitement for these occasions was obvious in any conversation immediately prior to the event. Miss Ruby never gave birth to her own children; however, each niece and nephew across multiple generations were indeed the children of her heart. As Miss Ruby whispered goodbye to us on July 27, she said hello to so many of her loved ones who had gone on before. She leaves a legacy that will live on in each of us who were touched by her life. Special thanks to Dr. Debra Cline for this beautiful tribute. The family would also like to offer a special thanks to Smoky Mountain Hospice and the staff at Jefferson Park at Dandridge. Preceded in death by parents, Amos and Frances Evelyn Drinnen; brother, Delmar Ray Drinnen; sister, Roberta Drinnen Jones and her husband Cecil; sister-in-law, Ruby Lee Drinnen. Survived by siblings, Leon Drinnen, Barbara Drinnen (Kenneth) Huff, and Robert (Georgia Faye) Drinnen; and several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great niece and nephews, and many special friends. The family will receive friends 5:00-7:00 PM Saturday, August 7, 2021, at Bridges Funeral Home followed by the funeral service at 7:00 PM with Rev. Ronnie White and Rev. Sam Grindstaff officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Beech Springs Baptist Church, 337 Mount Rd., Kodak, TN 37764, the French Broad Preservation Association, 7009 Thorngrove Pike, Knoxville, TN 37914, or Friends of Kodak Library, 319 Dumplin Valley Rd., Kodak, TN 37764. Family and friends will meet 1:00 PM Sunday, August 8, 2021, at Bridges Funeral to go in procession to Paw Paw Hollow Cemetery for a 2:00 PM interment. Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, 865-523-4999. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com