Rubyann Thompson Darnell died on April 2, 2025, at William P. Clements, Jr. University Hospital in Dallas, Texas, only one month after a diagnosis of cancer. In her last days and moments she was surrounded by her beloved family and many friends.

She was born February 2, 1936, in Washington, Missouri, to Ople Wayne Thompson and Melba Mae Crenshaw Thompson. She was educated in Dallas schools, graduating at the top of her class from North Dallas High School in June 1953.

Affectionately nicknamed "Shoosh" by her father, Rubyann's imagination was in turn the source of many family nicknames. She grew up in a variety of locales along the Mississippi River, following her father's bridgebuilding assignments before he moved the family to the Dallas area in the early 1940s, where Rubyann spent the rest of her life. She remained close to her brother Wayne and sister Mary Ruth, who described her older sister as a generous mentor and example of gentility and grace who gave her everything from dating advice to mothering wisdom to sewing tips.

She became aware of Gordon Darnell in high school when he drove his Midget race car up and down her street; they first spoke with one another while standing outside the biology lab with a group of friends. A man of few words, Gordon invited the young, vivacious Rubyann Thompson to a Young Life gathering, and "that's how it all began." Their elopement in 1954 after graduation cemented what would become a 65-year marriage.

The newlyweds settled briefly in Houston, where Gordon began his airline career as a pilot with Trans Texas Airways (later Texas International Airlines). Son Dwayne was also born there, and when they moved back to north Dallas in 1956, they added two more boys to their family in 1957 and in 1962. Rubyann devotedly and wholeheartedly embraced her career of raising their sons Dwayne, Mike, and Don.

While the vocation of motherhood was her first priority, Rubyann also found time for other pursuits. She was a talented gardener who especially loved raising flowers, irises being her favorites. At the urging of her mother-in-law "Honey" Darnell, she put her sewing skills to use with the International Order of the King's Daughters and Sons, a Christian service organization whose local chapter made layettes for newborns at Parkland Hospital.

Rubyann loved to sing in the Lovers Lane United Methodist Church choir and later landed a role in the Flower Mound community production of "Sweet Flower Mound Land." And as her sons grew more independent, she provided secretarial and accounting services for Boardman Aviation Flight School at Dallas Love Field in the 1980s, where husband Gordon and son Dwayne also worked. Her organizational skills then extended to a position as secretary to the chief pilot at the cargo airline Jet East International (later known as Express One). But another wonderful chapter was about to begin.

When Don received a high school assignment to present a family history, Rubyann took her first genealogy course, little knowing that this would begin an enthusiastic avocation for researching family history. From then on, her "second career" led her to explore countless archives, libraries, universities, cemeteries, and old homesteads, often with her mother and her daughter-in-law Patti Darnell in tow. This new passion was one she shared eagerly with other researchers, as she liked nothing better than hearing other people's family stories and encouraging them to dig for more. As a member of the board of the Dallas Genealogical Society, she was also heavily involved in the initial stages of the Oakland Cemetery Project, a census and reclamation of the final resting place of some of early Dallas' most noted citizens and veterans.

Rubyann took pride in being a member of the "Flying Darnell's" and was ever a devotee of the Darnell interest in all things aviation. This culminated in the founding in July 1986 of Mike's Hobby Shop, a family business specializing in radio-controlled model airplanes, cars, and boats. As the shop's all-around operations manager and friend to employees and customers alike, Rubyann often served as their surrogate mother and grandmother. The business continued till October 2014 and Rubyann provided integral support until the shop closed.

In her own words, Rubyann lived a "fabulous life." She is survived by sons, Dwayne Gordon Darnell (Mary P. "Patti" Perkins), Michael James Darnell (Annette Porter), and Don Willis Darnell; grandsons Michael Christopher Darnell and James Willis Darnell (Lyndsey Burchett), great-granddaughter SkyLynn Vernon, sister Mary Ruth Thompson Korsch, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Gordon James Darnell (1934-2020). Her parents also preceded her in death, as did her brother Wayne Riley Thompson and sister-in-law Shirley Darnell Thompson, and brother-in-law Bob Korsch.

A simple graveside service and interment will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Flower Mound Cemetery, 1501 Flower Mound Road, Flower Mound, Texas. A reception celebrating Rubyann's and Gordon's lives will follow at their Redbud Point residence on Lake Grapevine.

Memorial Donations may be made to UT Southwestern Medical Center: Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and/or the Genealogical Department of the Dallas Public Library, or the charity of your choice.