A century of memories, a lifetime of friendships, and a love story that began with a car. On Nov. 6, 2026, Ruby Lee Hurley celebrated her 100th birthday, marking a remarkable milestone in a life filled with faith, family, hard work, and friendship.
Born Nov. 6, 1926, on Brown Street in Paducah, Kentucky, Hurley has witnessed a century of change while holding close to the things that matter most to her: God, her family, and the people she meets along the way.
Hurley spent much of her childhood in Calvert City before her family moved to Paducah when she was 14. Years later, she returned to the community where she would raise her family and build a lifetime of memories.
At just 16, Hurley left home for Evansville, Indiana, to work for the government making rivets during World War II. As one of the women who supported America’s wartime manufacturing efforts, she became part of the generation known as Rosie the Riveters.
For six months, Hurley worked in Evansville, boarding with other young women and returning home on weekends. Although the work was important, she fondly remembers the friendships she made along the way. She and the other young women enjoyed trips to the movies, spending time together and creating memories that have stayed with her for decades.
Her working years also included positions at a cigar factory, the International Shoe Company in Paducah, and Kresge’s five-and-dime store. Each chapter added another experience to a life filled with hard work, independence, and meaningful connections.
Of all the stories Hurley has collected over the past century, one of the most memorable is how she reunited with the man who would become her husband.
Ruby Lee and Eugene Hurley had dated before going their separate ways. A few months after their breakup, Eugene visited a car dealership and found a 1946 automobile with a rumble seat that caught his attention.
He liked the car so much that he told the salesman he would return the following day to purchase it. But when Eugene returned, the salesman had disappointing news. Someone else had already bought the car.
That someone was Ruby.
A few weeks later, Eugene spotted Ruby driving the very car he had hoped to buy. He asked if he could take a ride, and as the saying goes, the rest is history.
The couple married in January 1948 and shared 66 years of marriage before Eugene’s passing.
Together, they raised two daughters, Sandra and Debbie, who attended school in Calvert City and later North Marshall.
Their family now spans six generations and includes six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-great-grandchild, with two more great-great-great-grandchildren on the way.
Beyond her work and family, Hurley found joy in bowling, sewing, and creating handmade crafts.
One of her favorite creative pursuits involved transforming old books into decorative antiques. She sold her creations throughout Paducah, sharing her talents and creativity with others.
Today, faith continues to play an important role in her life. She attends Abundant Life Worship Center and considers her relationship with God the foundation of everything else.
When asked about her greatest loves in life, Hurley didn’t hesitate. God comes first, followed by her children, husband, friends, and neighbors.
And when it comes to people, Hurley has never met a stranger.
In recognition of her milestone birthday, Calvert City Mayor Gene Colburn has proclaimed Nov. 6, 2026, as Ruby Lee Hurley Day in the City of Calvert City.
When asked about her secret to reaching 100 years old, Hurley offered an answer that perfectly captures her youthful spirit and outlook on life.
“Well, I never felt 100. I feel 50,” she said with a smile.
And perhaps that is the secret to a century well lived: staying young at heart, finding joy in the little things, and never losing an interest in the people around you.
The City of Calvert City proudly celebrates Ruby Lee Hurley and the remarkable legacy she continues to build through her family, her faith, and the countless lives she has touched.
Happy 100th birthday, Ruby Lee!
