Ruby Wilkinson Maxwell

1924 - 2015

Ruby Wilkinson Maxwell, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, Dec. 23, 2015. Mrs. Maxwell was 91 years old. Memorial service: 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth, following a private committal service in the Mausoleum at Greenwood Memorial Park. Family and friends will gather from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Great Room at Robertson Mueller Harper. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth or the American Heart Association, in her memory, is suggested. Born Oct. 13, 1924, in Fort Worth, Ruby Mae Lucille Wilkinson was the daughter of Mason and Ruth Dewberry Wilkinson. She married John A. Maxwell on Dec. 24, 1946; the couple was blessed with two children, Richard and Annetta. Among her happiest years, Ruby attended North Texas Teachers' College in Denton where she received her teaching certification. After applying for a position with the Fort Worth schools, she was told by the superintendent of high schools, "Return when you are older. You are too young and too attractive to control the discipline of the service men returning from World War II." She accepted a job with American Airlines as a stewardess, a flight attendant as they are called today. After leaving American, Ruby became a high school teacher in Fort Worth, teaching American history, world history and government. Following her teaching career, she became an escorted tour guide taking group tours to Machu Picchu, Peru. Ruby was a longtime member of First Presbyterian, Kiwis, Pan American and the Woman's Club of Fort Worth. At the Woman's Club, she was active in four sections, Art, History, Arts and Crafts and Creative Writing. An excellent artist, she participated in several art shows where she won many ribbons. While in Creative Writing, she won second place on an article about her grandmother, Minnie, which was published in the book, "Thanks for the Memories." She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, John, who died in 2011. Survivors: In addition to her children, Richard and his wife, Susan, of Germantown, Tenn., and Annetta and her husband, Sam Caricato, of Arlington, Ruby is survived by her grandchildren, Nicole and her husband, Will, Jessica, and Roland and his wife, Cammie; and great-grandchildren, Bryn, Ryler, Garon, Kayla and Liam.