Longtime Odessa resident Ruby Mahan recently celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by her family. Mahan, who has lived in the Permian Basin for nearly six decades, joined the exclusive club of centenarians. Her granddaughter, Jennifer Woodall, described Mahan as "loving, caring, giving, and our rock" in a Facebook post attributed to the city of Odessa.
The post also revealed some interesting facts about Mahan's life. She worked as a Sunday school teacher, a realtor, and a stay-at-home mom. Despite facing health challenges, including surviving breast cancer and leukemia, Mahan remained resilient and never complained. Woodall praised her grandmother's positive attitude, stating, "You'd never know she's sick!"
Mahan's journey began during World War II when she got married in Oklahoma and her spouse was deployed to Europe to fight in the Battle of the Bulge and other skirmishes. Meanwhile, Mahan joined the ranks of the "Rosies," the five million civilian women in the U.S. who worked in various roles to support the war effort. She worked as a layout person at an aircraft factory alongside her sisters and cousins.
After the war, Mahan and her husband, Red Mahan, embarked on a life together that took them around the world. They even lived in the Southeast Asian island nation of Singapore. However, in 1962, they made Odessa their permanent home. The couple had four sons, who blessed them with "nine grandkids and counting."
Woodall and her family live close to Mahan, allowing them to spend precious time together. Mahan attributes her longevity to her faith, citing the Bible verse Matthew 6:33, which advises seeking the kingdom of God first.
Ruby Mahan's 100th birthday is a testament to a life well-lived, filled with love, resilience, and a strong family bond.