Ruby Jenkins Bookout was born on August 20, 1922 in Gaston County, NC. She is the eighth of twelve children and grew up in the family business, Jenkins Dairy Farm. Her early life was filled with work on the dairy farm and helping raise her brothers and sisters at age 6 after her mother was hospitalized and away from the home for many years. She met and married Fred Bookout in June of 1941 at age 18 and they were happily married for over 68 years. Together they raised their son, Michael. She is the proud grandmother of one and great grandmother of two. She is retired after many years working on the floor of local textile mills, including Loray Mills, and closing her work life as a teller at BBT.
Ms. Bookout died July 12, 2016 at age 93.