Ruby L. (Richardson) Olson

Ruby L. Olson

YORK – Ruby L. Olson, 78, entered into rest at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at WellSpan York Hospital.  She was the loving wife of Larue E. Olson.  The couple celebrated 59 years of marriage on July 10, 2025.

Born February 5, 1947 in Hollister, NC, Ruby was a daughter of the late Clarence M. and Katherine (Hedgepeth) Richardson.

She graduated from William Penn High School in 1965 and worked as an administrative secretary for the former Messiah U.M. Church for 17 years, retiring in 2011. 

Ruby was a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe and was very active in her Native American culture.  She was one of the founding members of her family's Native American dance group, the Haliwa-Saponi Dancers of York.  Ruby was also a member of the Conservation Society of York and the Indian Steps Museum.  She was also the founder of Ruby’s Frybread.

Ruby was a lifelong, active member of Messiah U.M. Church, serving on numerous committees in addition to being a lay speaker, Sunday School and Bible School teacher.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  In addition to her husband, Ruby is survived by her three children, Christopher L. Olson and wife, Diana, Amy J. Shewell and husband, Bruce and Kimberly A. Richardson and husband, Roger, all of York; seven grandchildren, Ryan Kelley and wife, Emily, Lauren Kelley, Jordan Kelley, Christopher Olson, Wesley Richardson, Danielle Olson and Dominik Olson; seven great grandchildren, Takoda, Peyton, Emmanuel, Beau, Nalani, Delilah and Shepherd; and three sisters, Doris Richardson of Warrenton, NC, Joyce Fishel of York New Salem and Bettie Bridgers of Hollister, NC.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Katherine Richardson and a sister, Mary G. Marraccini.

Following cremation, relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Ruby’s memorial service at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at Messiah Church of York, 1300 N. Beaver St., York, with the visitation to follow.  Officiating will be Pastor Randy Zeiler of Fishing Creek U.M. Church.  Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Suburban Memorial Gardens, Dover.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Emig Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Dover.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Haliwa-Saponi Senior Citizen Organization, P.O. Box 99, Hollister, NC 27844; or the Conservation Society of York (Indian Steps) by visiting www.csoyc.org.

To share memories of Ruby and condolences with her family, please visit www.emigfuneralhome.com.

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