Ruby Lambert Gilliam, age 85 of Malvern, died Friday, September 9, 2016 at her home. She was born on August 31, 1931 in Marianna, Arkansas to the late David S. Lambert and Mertie Belle Maxwell Lambert. Reared and receiving her early education in Marianna and Searcy, she later attended Draughon's School of Business. Ruby retired from Perilli Corporation, where she was payroll accountant. She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. Ruby was the widow of the late Judge William C. Gilliam, to whom she was married in 1981. He preceded her in death in 2005.

Throughout her adult life, she enjoyed learning, reading, and expressing her creativity. She studied modeling under Patricia Stevens, and at one point, she was invited to Hollywood to perform a song she had written. She read her Bible daily, and lived the life of a true Christian disciple.

Ruby was also preceded in death by a step-daughter, Isabel Gilliam, step-son, Matthew Gilliam, sisters, Ramona Hughes and Loretta Lambert, and brothers, N. J. Lambert, David Lambert, and Dewey Lambert.

She is survived by her daughter, Rita Edwards and her husband Keenan of Malvern; son, Scott Brimer of the Booneville Human Development Center; step-daughters, Melissa Ward and her husband, Darrell of Little Rock, and Carroll Gilliam of Hot Springs; five grandchildren, Eric Dean Davis (Diana), Damon C. Edwards, Kia McGuire (Eric), Erin Wainwright (Timothy) and Edward "Ted" Gilliam; nine great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends.

A visitation will be from six until eight o'clock Tuesday evening, September 13, 2016 at J. A. Funk Funeral Home.

Her funeral will be on Wednesday morning at ten o'clock in the funeral home chapel with Reverend Dale Chance officiating. Interment will follow at Tranquil Cemetery in Hot Springs.

Pallbearers will be: Damon Edward, Eric McGuire, Tim Wainwright, Michael Lambert, Jarrod Lambert, and Jerry Craig.

Honorary pallbearer is Ted Gilliam.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cancer Charity 4 Life at www.cancercharity4life.com or the physical address at 1407 SW Wisteria Avenue, Bentonville, AR 72712-4955.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.