Ruby Lee Holden Stanton, 86, of Mars Hill, passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2026. She was a native of Henderson County, having lived most of her life in Madison County. She is the daughter of the late Cecil and Bertha Bryson Holden and a loving wife for 54 years to the late David Grant Stanton, Sr. She is also preceded in death by a son, David Grant Stanton, Jr., a grandson Luke Youngblood, a sister Mabel Lindsey, and brothers Gene, Scotty, and Marvin Holden.

Ruby was an in-home childcare provider for multiple children in the community and later was the cafeteria manager at Mars Hill Elementary School where she served for several years. In recent years, she especially enjoyed spending time with friends at the Mars Hill Senior Citizen meal site. She was also a member of Madison Seminary Baptist Church.

Ruby is survived by three daughters, Cindy Stanton, Gwen Babbitt, and Penny Youngblood (Randy); a son, Charlie Stanton (Melinda), sister Anne Souther; sisters-in-law, Jean Watkins, Freida Holden, and Dianne Holden. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Holly Babbitt, Ashley Shumaker (Eric), David Stanton (Brittnay), Logan Youngbblood (Bailey), Deanna Moffitt (Jarred), and Levi Youngblood, and eight great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 1pm on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at Blue Ridge Funeral & Cremation Service. Reverends Sam Ramsey, Stanley Peek, and Charlie Stanton will officiate. Burial will follow in the Mars Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 11am-1pm Wednesday at the funeral home.

At other times, the family will be at the home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the French Broad Baptist Association Mission Development, PO Box 1750, Mars Hill, NC 28754.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org