Mrs. Ruby Lee Rice Bowman, age 81, of Houston, Texas, passed away Thursday evening, December 10, 2020, at St. Luke's Hospital.

Ruby was born February 18, 1939, in Dunn, North Carolina, a beautiful daughter of the late Neil and Gladys Smith. Ruby graduated from Harnett High School in 1956, went on to Fayetteville State University before marrying Homer Lee Rice traveling the world as a military wife; from this union, she gained a loving bonus son Harold Thompson.  Ruby had a remarkable professional career, later retiring from Texas Instruments in Houston. Ruby was blessed to marry her love Jewel Bowman and built a beautiful life of 28 years, becoming one with his 12 children, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Ruby was a beautiful, classy lady that enjoyed fun times with her family and friends full of laughter, a fantastic cook, and had superb seamstress skills. Ruby was an avid singer winning many awards/contests and blessing others with her sultry voice in her early days. Ruby's favorite pastime was spending time with her Sister Carolyn, watching sports, cooking/baking, shopping, eating Neil's blueberry muffins, and keeping up with the family on Facebook until the very end.

Ruby is preceded in death by her devoted husband of 28 years, Jewel Bowman, and her brother William B. Smith. Ruby leaves to cherish memories survived by her loving and faithful sister Carolyn McNeill (Nathaniel) of Houston, devoted Nephew Neil B. McNeill of Houston Tx and his children D'Andre McNeill (Jasmine, son Alexander) of San Antonio Tx, Alexia McNeill, their mother special niece Michelle McNeill both of Augusta Ga., and Brianna Brown of Philadelphia; dedicated niece Nakeisha Archer (Terrell) and her children Carrington & Cortlin Archer of Houston, Tx; loving nephew Barry Ingram (Tanya), and his children Nia Copeland, Chloe, & Barry Jr of Houston Tx; a devoted bonus daughter Joyce Bowman Bennett (Willie) of Friendswood Texas, and granddaughter Julia Bennett-Jean (Henoc) of Houston Tx; God-given sisters Beatrice Perry of Oakhill, Va., Ruby Cameron of Baltimore MD, and Brendetta Starling of Odenton, MD who were very special to her.  She also leaves extraordinary cousins, lifelong companions, and confidants John McKoy & Willis McKoy.  Thank you for your unwavering love and support to Tony Smith, the McKoy, Smith, McNeill, and Dudley Families. Many more family, friends, and neighbors will sadly miss her.