Ruby "Cookie" Underwood, teacher, friend, devoted wife, mother and grandmother passed to her heavenly home in the presence of family in the early morning of August 15, 2024, in Marble Falls. A forty-nine-year resident of Brady, Cookie had been battling kidney disease for almost six years and had moved to Marble Falls to be closer to a dialysis treatment facility.

Ruby Faye Underwood was born at the Callen Hospital in Rotan, Texas (Fischer County) to Joe Lloyd and Lillian Naomi Matthews, August 6, 1944. Cookie had an enormous heart for her family, friends and school children everywhere. She took pride in every accomplishment that her students excelled in life, and when asked to move closer to her son and family in Stephenville, she refused repeatedly stating that all her students are here to take care of her. Cookie was admittingly gregarious and had a very large, extended "adopted" family. After Jim's passing, she founded a local "Red Hat" chapter and served as the President for many years and faithfully attended the liberated educators' luncheons. She loved the color purple and bragging about her grandchildren.

Cookie was educated in her elementary years at Rotan Elementary and after a brief stop in Killeen, her family settled in San Marcos, Texas and she enjoyed playing the French horn in the Rattler Band. After graduating from San Marcos High School with honors, Cookie received her B.S. Degree in Education from Southwest Texas College. Her time in college was highlighted by her involvement as a S.W.T. Strutter, and later finished a Master's in Education from Southwest Texas State University. She began her first teaching assignment in New Braunfels ISD. Cookie soon moved to San Angelo and taught at Alta Loma elementary school to move closer to the eventual love of her life, Jim Underwood. They were married December 22, 1967, and had one child Matt. They celebrated 47 years in marriage before Jim's passing.

In 1975 the Underwood's moved to Brady. Teaching was her life's passion for over 28 years with a majority of that time spent with Brady Junior High as a sixth-grade science teacher before moving to Brady Elementary school to teach self-contained sixth grade and later reading and gifted and talented. Cookie was preceded in death by her husband and parents Joe and Naomi Matthews, a sister Jo Blackshear and a brother Bill Matthews.

She is survived by her son Matt; Matt's wife Fara Miller Underwood and grandchildren Maci (20), Mitchell (18) and Maelee (9). She is also survived by her nieces Tamela Blackshear Murley and Betsy Barringer. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law Patsy Zesch and Karen Underwood and one brother-in-law Gene Zesch. She is also survived by three nephews and two nieces Casey Zesch, Scott Zesch, Todd Underwood, Judy Hammond and Terri Ayjian.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 24, at 10:00 a.m. at Brady Global Methodist Church. Visitation with the family will be held after the service at the church.

Condolences may be sent to the family at masonfuneralhome.net