Ruby Richardson

Ruby F. Richardson was born in Corsicana, TX on October 15, 1948 to the parentage of Joe Elmer and Helen Sowells. Ruby accepted Christ at an early age. With the Lord’s help Ruby set goals for herself. She wanted the Lord to use her to impact the lives of others. Ruby joined Good Street Baptist Church and under the pastorship of the late Dr. C. A. W. Clark, Ruby grew in wisdom, maturity, and faith.

Ruby attended schools within the Dallas Independent School District. In junior high school Ruby met Donnell her future soul mate. Ruby graduated from Franklin D. Roosevelt and went on to El Centro Junior College. At El Centro Junior College Ruby and Donnell reconnected. After 7 years of dating, they tied the knot. Their marriage was made in heaven and was ordained by the Lord. The Lord blessed them with a bundle of joy and happiness, a daughter named Patti. Ruby graduated from El Centro Junior College with 2 degrees; 1 with Associate of Arts and the 2nd degree was Associate in Applied Arts-Mid Management. Ruby also went to the University of North Texas and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She continued her education at Amber (now Amberton) University and graduated with a Master’s degree in Business and Human Relations.

Ruby worked at the U.S. Post Office for several years. Ruby changed careers and worked with Bank of America. Alberta (Ruby’s sister in-law) also changed careers and worked at Bank of America. They frequently ate lunch together. Sometimes they would walk to burn off calories. Both of them loved to eat sweets. Some days they would go shopping for clothes. On Fridays they would eat lunch and stop by Stouffer’s candy store and buy a small box of chocolate candy. Ruby retired from Bank of America as Vice President of Operations after 26 years. Ruby wanted to help and improve the lives of others and began teaching 3rd graders at Maple Lawn Elementary in DISD. Donnell and Patti helped decorate Ruby’s classroom for incoming students. One school year 13 students were assigned to Ruby’s classroom. Only 3 of the students were able to read. Most of the students were fluent in Spanish. With prayer, dedication, commitment, and hard work all of Ruby’s students were able to pass the state’s standard test and moved up to the 4th grade. On another occasion Ruby was assigned a student with dyslexia (difficulty in reading or interpreting words, letters, symbols). Again, with prayer, dedication, commitment, and hard work Ruby motivated her student to move forward. Years later the same student returned to Ruby’s classroom and thanked her for teaching him to read. The student had a high grade average and had applied for a college scholarship. Tears rolled down Ruby’s cheeks.

Ruby was a faithful member of Good Street Baptist Church. She loved the Lord. She was committed to obeying the Lord and faithfully sought to do the Lord’s will. She was a member of the Monday at Noon Bible Study. She was a deaconess and an usher. She was a member of the Sisterhood. She was involved with the Professional Business Women. She worked with the Credit Union. She sent cards to the sick and bereaved. Birthday cards were also sent to church members. Ruby followed the Lord and served the Lord’s saints.

Ruby enjoyed bowling and she and Donnell often played golf together. According to Ruby “she let him win to make him feel good about himself.” Ruby loved sweets. She had to have sweets with every meal and sweets between meals. Sometimes sweets were the meal. Ruby also had 1 grandson Edric, who she cherished and adored very much.

Ruby and Donnell were married for 43 years. Through all the ups and downs of life they remained committed to the Lord and each other. They laughed together, they played together, they cried together, they prayed together, they sung together, and they served the Lord together. Ruby was grounded and rooted in the Lord’s love to care for Donnell. She cared for her sick husband while being sick herself. She was and is that precious woman of God in Proverbs 31 who loved the Lord, loved her family and loved the community. Donnell was called home to glory on August 24, 2021. Less than 3 months later Ruby on November 22, 2021 was called home to be with the Lord. Pray for the Lord’s continual blessings on family members.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband Donnell Richardson; parents, Joe Elmer and Helen Sowells; and brother Eddie Sowells; Father and Mother-in-law Thelma and Gessie Mae Richardson.

Ruby leaves to cherish her memory, loving daughter Patti Richardson-White (Edwinn Carlos); grandson Edric White; brother in-law John Terry Richardson (Alberta); 4 nephews-Romie Richardson, Derrick Richardson, Eric Richardson (Felicia), and Jermaine Richardson; uncle-Robert Rosier and a host of cousins and friends.