Retired Hart Electric AUGUSTA, Ga. - Mrs. Rubye Groover Hart, 101, went to her Heavenly Home on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at Twelve Oaks Retirement Home in Dublin, Ga. Rubye, a Statesboro, Ga. native, born August 29, 1906 to the late William Avner and Julia Mikell Groover, enjoyed growing up on the family farm with her many brothers and sisters. She graduated from Georgia A & M (GSU) and moved to Augusta in 1928 with her sister Thelma to attend the University Hospital School of Nursing from which they both graduated in 1932. Rubye, as she always wanted to be called, was an active community member. She was a retired nurse and retired owner of Hart Electric where she enjoyed working with the public and hanging lighting fixtures all over the area. She was a member of the Augusta Women's Club, charter member of the Iris Garden Club, charter member of the Association for Retarded Citizens and a devoted member of Curtis Baptist Church. The joys of her life were her children. Rubye and Burts felt they were blessed with their two special needs boys. Because of her awareness of the needs of special children, she became an advocate for their needs. This began with the garage in her back yard that was converted into a small school for special needs children. Many families worked with her. This small school brought awareness of the need for a larger school. Rubye promoted the founding of Lyndale School and later was an advocate for Gracewood State School and Hospital. She continued her caring and support for special needs children throughout her life. Rubye is survived by a son, Pinckney Burts (Butch) Hart, Jr. of Augusta. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews to whom she was lovingly known as "Aunt Rubye". Rubye is also survived by a very dear friend and caregiver, Dot Kennedy Trapnell of Dublin. In addition to her parents, Rubye was preceded in death by her husband, P. Burts Hart, Sr.; and a son, William Mikell Hart; six sisters, Sarah Esther Groover, Mary G. Tyson, Nora G. Lee, Ollie G. Wilson and Nita G. Evans, all of Statesboro and Thelma G. Elliott of Augusta; and six brothers, Charlie Groover of Augusta, Sam Groover, Paul Groover, Bruce Groover and Ernest Groover, all of Statesboro and Tom Groover of Savannah. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 23, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Curtis Baptist Church with Dr. Bucky Kennedy, Dr. Sherrell Dunn, Elder Al Groover officiating. Pallbearers were Roy Scarbrough, Dr. Theo Thevous, Dr. Fred Marschalk, G.S. "Bud" Amerson, Jack Swann, Randy Khol, Charles Lancaster, Ben Groover, Warren Groover, Randy Groover, Ed Groover, Stephen Purser, David Elliott and Waymon Smoak. Honorary pallbearers were nephews, great-nephews and deacons of Curtis Baptist Church. Interment followed in Westover Memorial Park.

Thomas Poteet and Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907. (706) 364-8484. www.thomaspoteet.com

Published in The Augusta Chronicle on 2/22/2008.