Mrs. Ruby Mae Bernard Chavis, 86, of Beaumont, Texas passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 in Beaumont, Texas.

The Mass of Christian Burial Celebration Service for Mrs. Chavis will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023 with rosary to be recited at 9:15 a.m. at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church located at 3390 Sarah Street in Beaumont, Texas 77705 with burial service to follow at Live Oak Memorial Park and Cemetery in Nederland, Texas, under the direction of Mercy Funeral Home in Beaumont, Texas. A Public viewing for Mrs. Chavis will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Mercy Funeral Home Chapel from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 p.m. and on Friday, June 23, 2023 from 8:00 until 10:00 a.m. with the practice of social distancing and facial masks required.

Mrs. Mae Bernard Chavis

Obituary

Ruby Mae Bernard Chavis was born on February 2,1937 in Beaumont, Texas.  She was the youngest child of Sidney and Laurence (Broussard) Bernard of Louisiana.  Her loving siblings comprised one brother and five sisters.   Often Ruby would recount a happy childhood filled with roller skating, amateur piano playing, and dancing.

Her family was a member of Our Mother of Mercy of Mercy Catholic parish where she attended school through the eighth grade.  While a student at Hebert High School, she participated in various clubs and activities including cheerleading before graduating in 1956.  In 1958, she married Irven Chavis and four children (whom she loved deeply) were born of their union.

She began employment with the US Postal Service in 1967 which allowed her to improve her family's financial status.  Whilst there, she made lifelong friends and received many awards and commendations for suggestions to improve efficiency and reduce cost.  Many family members were encouraged to seek employment with the USPS.  Because they followed her advice, mail was probably delayed when the Bernard descendants had a wedding or funeral.  She happily attended many work related "conferences" for travel, fun and adventure before retiring in 2000.

Ruby was a devout catholic, wonderful mother, loyal and trusted friend, excellent cook and gardener.  She partook in bid whist, bingo and "craps" with delight.  Civic minded endeavors included participation in voter registration drives, obtaining signatures for petitions and attending city council meetings when needed.  Her entrepreneurial drive resulted in the rehabilitation and rental of three houses for supplemental income.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Sidney and Laurence Bernard; and her siblings Albert Bernard, Mary L. Vallier (Roscoe),  Lucille Granger (Leroy), and  Mary Helen Davis (Herman).

Ruby is survived by her sisters, Edna Thibeaux (Nelson) and Joyce Coleman; her four children, Dr. Cyril Chavis (Arwonder), Dr. Tamerla Chavis, Iran Chavis (Renee), and Jaylon Chavis; seven grandchildren, Christina Tunstall (Stanley), Cyril Jr (Jenell), Wesley, Jessica, Haley, Hannah and Laurean; great-grandchildren, Aria, Elise, Kyrie, and Kason; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.