Supercentenarian Profile

Ruby Staley

Born:

1908-06-08

Halfway, Maryland

United States

Died:

2021-03-28

Williamsport, Maryland

United States

Ruby Elizabeth Staley (née Snyder) was an American supercentenarian.

BIOGRAPHY

Ruby Staley was born in Halfway, Maryland, USA, on 8 June 1908, as the second of eight children born to parents Clarence Blaine Snyder (1873–1945) and Eva Laura Martin (1884–1954). Her siblings were Carl Roger Boncord (1905–1992), Mary Hazel Goetz (1919–2005), Arvella Leatrice Snyder (1923–2019), Herbert Hoover Snyder (1929–2001), Charlotte M. Hoover, Boyd C. Snyder, and Elizabeth Ridenour. The family relocated to West Virginia, where they lived in the countryside and grew much of their own food. Ruby helped care for her younger siblings and, in order to support the family, she left school to work. The family moved back to her hometown in Washington County when Ruby turned 18.

At Pen Mar Park, Ruby met Fern Roscoe Staley (1899–1988), and the two married in 1933. They enjoyed more than 50 years of marriage until Fern’s passing on 14 April 1988. Though they never had children of their own, Ruby and Fern remained very close to their nieces and nephews. She worked with Southern Shoe Company, Fairchild Aircraft Company, and L&B Hat Shop, all of Hagerstown.

Shortly before turning 108, she moved to Williamsport Retirement Village. Ruby’s niece, Jennifer, believed that her aunt’s longevity was thanks to her love of chocolate. Ruby enjoyed all kinds of chocolate—cookies, candies, and chocolate cake.

Ruby Staley passed away in Williamsport, Maryland, on 28 March 2021, at the age of 112 years, 293 days. She was survived by her sister, Elizabeth Ridenour.

RECOGNITION

On 15 May 2020, following the passing of 112-year-old Downing Kay, she became the oldest living person in the U.S. state of Maryland, at the age of 111 years, 342 days. She held the title until her own passing in March 2021, when she was succeeded by Bessie Harding.

Her age has not been validated.