Mary Ruby Nixon was born October 18, 1915 in Visalia to Manuel and Ida (Mattos) Nunes, and was raised by her father and step-mother, Mercedes Machado, one of 15 children. Ruby, as she was known to her friends grew up in Visalia and moved to Wasco in 1940. She married Emmett Nixon in 1944 and he preceded her in death in 1964. Ruby began her long career as a cook for the Wasco school cafeteria, then for Bakersfield City School District and finally Rosewood Retirement Community. She was a great cook and family favorites included potato salad, rice pudding, quevas and everyone requested her red velvet cakes for birthday celebrations. Ruby enjoyed working in her flower beds, growing iris and crocheting. She also loved her trips to her homeland, Portugal; traveling to Hawaii and family trips to Reno. Family was Ruby's most valuable treasure and she loved taking care of her grandchildren, especially her great grandson. She enjoyed attending the grandchildren's events and sports games. She moved to Bakersfield during the 1960's and was a member of St. Francis Church. Ruby known as "Nana" to family and many friends, is survived by her daughter, Joan Katherine Whitworth and husband , Fred of Wasco; 3 grandchildren, Dennis Whitworth, Craig Whitworth and Tawny Vasquez; 4 great-grandchildren, Manuel, Samantha and Simone Vasquez and Shawna Zaragoza; and 5 great great-grandchildren, Jonathan and Katelynn Nunez and Levi, Little Gene and Bo Zaragoza; 4 brothers, Louie, Clarence, George and Richard Nunes; and 4 sisters, Orlinda Fagundes, Angelina Dias, Mable Dutra and Edna McWhorter. Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, parents and step-mother and 3 brothers, Ted Nunes, Tony Machado and Willie Machado; and 3 sisters, Hermelia Lawrence, Theresa Anglin and Hazel Butterworth. Holy Rosary will be recited Tuesday, April 28, at 6:30 pm at Peters Funeral Home for Mary Ruby 'Nana" Nixon, age 93, of Bakersfield who passed away April 23, 2009 at her home in Bakersfield. Fr. John of St. John's Church of Wasco will officiate at graveside service at 10:30am on Wednesday, April 29, at Wasco Memorial Park and interment will follow. A visitation will be held Tuesday, April 28 from 2pm – 8pm.