Ruby Mae Bly

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Ruby Bly, of Goshen, CA on Friday, July 25, 2025, at the age of 97 years. Ruby was born on May 11, 1928, in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma to Willie and Rushie Gilstrap. Ruby was the third child of five children. In 1937 at the age of 9, Ruby traveled with her dad and two of her brothers to Goshen, California so her dad could find work and look for a place to live. Ruby attended school at Tarusa-Chatham and graduated from the 8th grade at Goshen school. In 1944, at a church social, Ruby met Bill Bly and got married on July 14, 1945. To this union three children were born, two boys and one girl. Ruby continued to live in Goshen until her passing. Ruby loved doing many things in her life including drag racing with her family, camping with family in Mojave Desert where she & Bill would ride their three wheelers. She also loved camping at Pismo Beach every summer with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When family or friends came to visit Ruby always wanted to cook for them. If they were traveling, she would offer everyone a place to sleep. Later in life after the passing of her husband, Ruby began attending the Mt Zion Apostolic Church in Goshen. She was thankful to Sister Jane & Brother Frank Morales for always giving her a ride to church and other functions. They became her very dear friends. The family wants to thank the Westgate Gardens Nursing Home for their care of mom. A special thank you to Nurses Rayjean and Lizbeth, CNA's Nala (you are the best) and Sara. Your caring did not go unnoticed. Ruby will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by her sons, Danny (Evelyn) Bly of Visalia, Terry Bly (Jenny Roberts) of Three Rivers, son-in-law Kim Pennington (Sanger), 6 grandchildren; Stacie, Chris, Brett, Kyle, Kaci & Alicia, 13 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Ruby is preceded in death by her loving husband of 70 years, Bill Bly, daughter, Connie Pennington, brothers Richard, Leo, Bill Jr, Jess Gilstrap, parents Willie Gilstrap & Rushie Gilstrap-Elliott. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00pm, Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia . Funeral services will be held on Monday from 11:30 to 12;30 at Mt. Zion Apostolic Church, 7210 Avenue 308, Visalia, Ca (Goshen). Graveside services will be held following funeral services from 1:00 pm to 2 pm at Visalia District Cemetery, 1300 W. Goshen Ave, Visalia . Reception back at the Mt. Zion Apostolic Church Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Ruby Mae Bly

May 11, 1928 - July 25, 2025