LEXINGTON, Ky. — A cafeteria worker is starting her 56th year at an elementary school in Fayette County. 

What You Need To Know

  • Miss Ruby has worked as a cafeteria worker since 1966

  • She started back when her son attended Stonewall Elementary School

  • Miss Ruby has seen some of her former students having lunch with their children at Stonewall

  • Miss Ruby plans to stay for many more years to come

For 56 years, Ruby Allnutt has worked at Stonewall Elementary School. 

“Some have grown up and have kids and come to eat with them. They can’t believe I’m still here,” Allnutt said.

Miss Ruby started as a cafeteria worker in 1966, when her son attended elementary school. 

“This is when I was young, when I first got here. We first had to wear dresses when I first started,” Allnutt said.

And has seen big changes throughout the years.

“We used to have to make everything from scratch like hotdog buns, vegetable soup and we had to make everything just scratch,” Allnutt said.

But says over the years, there’s only one reason that brings her back every school year. 

“It’s just a pleasure to be around the kids and stuff,” Allnutt said.

A joy in life she says she wouldn’t change for the world. 

“They’ll say ‘Thank you’ and some of them will hug you,” Allnutt said.

A passion and career, Miss Ruby says she hopes to continue for years to come. 

Some of the staff members who work alongside Miss Ruby in the cafeteria were once students she served while they were in elementary school, and the school says it is a pleasure to have Miss Ruby in their cafeteria. 

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