Rubye Brantley Trapnell Becker

Rubye Brantley Trapnell Becker, 95, died Saturday, January 11, 2014. She was born in Johnson County, Georgia, to the late Candler County Sheriff T. W. Brantley and DeVida Wheeler Brantley. She was the widow of J. T. Trapnell of Metter, GA and Robert D. Becker of Hilton Head Island, SC. She lived most of her life in Metter, then resided in Hilton Head from 1989 to 1998, followed by a return to Metter before settling in Fresno and Lemoore, California for her final years.

As a young lady blessed with uncommon beauty, grace, and charm, she was chosen Queen of Candler County in 1940. She wore this title proudly and served as an ambassador for Metter and Candler County for the remainder of her life.

A faithful member of the Metter United Methodist Church, she served on the Board of Trustees and Administrative Board. She was a former Youth Director, member and substitute teacher of the Adult Sunday School Class, and also the founder of the Metter United Methodist Church Prison Ministry.

From an early age, she was active in the business community of Metter. She became Manager of the Dixie Theater in the 1930's, partner and manager of Brantley Furniture Mart during World War II, Executive Vice President of Trapnell Chevrolet-Oldsmobile, Inc., and afterward a licensed Real Estate sales agent with John E. Jones Realty. Involved in civic affairs in Metter, she served as Chairman of the Board of the Metter Welcome Center, as well as Vice President of the Candler County Historical Society where she was instrumental in obtaining National Register status for the South Metter residential area. She was Chairman of Metter's first Zoning Commission and for several years, tutored children in reading at Metter Elementary School.

During her years in Hilton Head, she was the founding President of the Dow-Agers Investment Club where she was quite successful in stock trading.

In her early retirement years, she wrote a short, young adult novel entitled Rebel which was published through Amazon in 2011. Rubye loved life and never missed an opportunity to celebrate, whether hosting a party or toasting a sunset. As indicated by her name, she was a precious jewel, who will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Gary "Skeet" Trapnell of Lemoore, CA; a grandson, Hugh E. III "Hec" (Connie) Cromartie of Eastvale, CA; a granddaughter, Jana (Thomas) Sasser of Edisto Island, SC; four great-grandsons, Jackson, Memphis, and Lincoln Cromartie, and T. C. Sasser; two nieces, Pam Brantley and Wanda Brantley Parrish both of Metter and one nephew, Jim Sommers of Marietta. Her brother, Hines Brantley and a niece, Dale Sommers Reece predeceased her.

Her memorial service will be held Friday, January 31, 2014, 2:00 PM, at the Metter United Methodist Church followed by a reception in the Social Hall. Burial will be a private service in the Lake Cemetery. The family requests that remembrances be gifted to the Metter United Methodist Church Prison Fund, POB 595, Metter, GA, 30439.

Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, of Metter is in charge of arrangements.