Ruby Katherine Fickling

SAN ANGELO After a long battle with cancer, Ruby Fickling passed peacefully to her Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009. Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, Joe William and Nellie May McAllister; her sisters, Mary Dansby and Juanita Terry; her infant son, Donny Joe; her daughter-in-law, Joyce Fickling; her granddaughter, Tamra Sharp; her son-in-law, Burkie Harlow; and her loving husband, Hugh Edwin (Buster) Fickling. She is survived by her four children, Ruby Harlow, Janice and David Pelzel, Richard and Gina Fickling and Jerry and Holly Fickling, all of San Angelo; 20 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Ruby, better known as Maw Maw, was born in Chautean, Okla., on Sept. 27, 1925. Her early years were spent growing up on the family farm with her sisters and cousins. She loved to share with her grandchildren how she rode to school on her horse to a one-room schoolhouse. After first grade, her father moved the young family to California. She would tell of the long lines of Model A's and Model T's that were making their way to California in search of jobs. She would share of the campfires at twilight as families parked beside the road and prepared their evening meals. It was the music and the singing around the campfire that she so fondly spoke. She grew up in the small towns of Wasco, Shafter and Bakersfield. After the untimely death of her first husband, James Bryant, she married Buster Fickling and moved to San Angelo where they raised their family. Ruby was a homemaker and a gifted seamstress, always loving the challenge of making something new. She made a wedding dress from just a sketch, tailored sports coats and made her children's school and Sunday clothes. She was a great cook and loved to make candy and yeast bread. All the neighborhood kids gathered at the house when she started cooking. Ruby was a member of the Disciples of Christ Christian Church for more than 50 years with her membership at Community Hills Christian Church. She was a Sunday school teacher, a youth sponsor, CWF member and a member of the board. She was a member of the Antique Car Club of San Angelo and a volunteer with the Shannon Auxiliary for over 15 years. She loved her "Pink Lady" smock and wore it all the time, even when the color changed to green. Mom would want us to thank Dr. Chinn, Dr. Cheruku, Dr. Cummings and Hospice of San Angelo. A very special thank you is sent to her special Angel nurses, Cindy Moon, Mary Cheek, Cindy Baca and Mary Lopez. Thanks also go out to all her caring neighbors and friends at Rio Concho West for all the calls, cards, cookies and visits. Service will be led by O'Neal Westbrook and the Rev. J. Justiss at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, in Johnson's Funeral Home chapel. Interment will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Community Hills Christian Church, the Buster Fickling Memorial Scholarship at ASU or a charity of your choice. We love you Mom and will miss you so much. We will miss your laughter, your sense of humor, your daily calls and your friendship. "This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24