In the bustling cafeteria at Millsaps College, amid chatter and laughter and the smell of fresh food, there’s one constant: Mrs. Ruby. For over 25 years, she’s greeted everyone that visits the Caf with a warm smile. Ask anyone on campus – she is a fixture at Millsaps, the heartbeat of the cafeteria.
Mrs. Ruby is a Jackson native, so Millsaps has always been on her radar. But what began as a job in food service has turned into a career that has shaped the lives of countless students. Her role in the cafeteria is multifaceted. You might call her a jack-of-all-trades. She’s the friendly face folks see as they tap their IDs for meals, the one who wipes down tables and sweeps the floor and the person who brews the coffee and tea in the mornings.
A Familiar Face
For students transitioning to the whirlwind of college life, Mrs. Ruby is a source of comfort, a constant presence in their daily routines and a trusted friend.
“Mrs. Ruby is always here and always smiling,” said one student. “It feels like home when I see her in the Caf.”
With almost three decades of experience under her belt, she has become as much a part of the Millsaps experience as the professors and students.
“I recently overheard a group of Premier Scholars talking with prospective students at an admissions event and Mrs. Ruby’s name came up,” said Stacey Gaines, Millsaps vice president of marketing and communication. “That’s how significant she is on campus.”
For Mrs. Ruby, the students are what make every day special. As some students experience homesickness and the challenges of being away from their families for the first time, she is a bright light on campus.
“It’s the children,” she said, describing the best part of her job. “I just love them.”
The encouragement and smiles are something that comes back to her. “I can come in here feeling bad, and a student can come in here and say, ‘Hey Mrs. Ruby, how are you,’ and it just makes my day.”
There’s no question that the Caf depends on Mrs. Ruby to keep things moving like a well-oiled machine. But her impact goes far beyond her official duties. She’s a reminder that college isn’t just about academics. It’s about the people, the experiences and the memories. Whether it’s an uplifting word or a warm smile, she makes every student feel welcomed and valued.
Ask anyone at Millsaps about their favorite meal in the Caf, the response will likely be the fried chicken on Wednesdays or the fried catfish on Fridays. It’s a dividing question on campus, but for Mrs. Ruby, the fried fish is the best. But it’s a different meal entirely that is her favorite. “I love the breakfast,” she says, even after 25 years. “After coffee, I’m a biscuit and bacon person. Then some yogurt, granola and grapes.”
Looking back on her decades of service, she recalls a particularly memorable moment, when Jackson got a rare snowfall. “We got snowed in one time and we were all taking pictures,” she said. “Nobody thought it was actually going to snow, but it did! It was so beautiful.”
For Mrs. Ruby, Millsaps is more than just a workplace—it’s a second home. “Coming here every day is my home away from home,” she said.
Having grown up in Jackson, with her family also nearby, she’s always felt connected to the area and the people she serves. Millsaps has become a place where she feels valued and appreciated, and she in turn offers that same kindness to everyone who drops by the Caf for a fresh meal.
