Ruby Gibson

Ruby Riddick Gibson, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, passed away peacefully January 8, 2021 after a long and wonderful life of 100 years. She was born to William Neal Riddick and Emma Early Riddick on November 26, 1920. A native of DeRidder, Ruby graduated from DeRidder High School and attended Louisiana State Normal College (now Northwestern) in Natchitoches where she majored in music and English. She was an honor graduate as well as an accomplished pianist. While in college, she met Donald H. Gibson from Mansfield, La. They married in 1942 and she followed him all over the country during his enlistment in the U.S. Navy. After the war they settled down in southeast Texas where Don finished his education and Ruby taught piano in her home before the family, which now included 3 daughters, moved to DeRidder.

After teaching piano and English for several years, Ruby returned to school and earned a masters degree in library science from LSU. After 30 additional hours of graduate work, she became supervisor of secondary English, music, art, social studies and libraries for the Beauregard Parish schools and retired in 1984 after 25 years with the school system. Ruby was the first supervisor of libraries in the parish. She set up and implemented centralized processing for library books, a program which served as a model for the state. She also organized and implemented the parish textbook loan system, created the first secondary model writing program, and instituted the advanced placement English courses at DeRidder High School, enabling high school students to earn college credit.

Ruby was a past president of the local Delta Kappa Gamma Honorary Society for women educators, past state president of the Louisiana Association of School Librarians, and past president of the Beauregard Parish Retired Teachers’ Association. Outside of her professional career, Ruby devoted many hours to her church and community. As a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of DeRidder, she was active in United Methodist Women’s Missionary circles, taught junior high Sunday School classes, and played the organ and piano for evening worship services for many years. She was perhaps proudest of her efforts to organize the first youth choir, which at one time had 44 members. Ruby also volunteered her time as pianist for the DeRidder Rotary Club and the Beauregard Activity Center for many years.

She loved music, books, animals, and flowers, but most of all, her family and friends whom she supported faithfully through the years with her prayers and generosity. Her grandchildren often remarked about how special she made them feel. She was the truest example of love, kindness, and humility, and had incredible faith, discipline, courage, and resilience that age and frailty never diminished. All those she touched with her love and exemplary life will be her greatest legacy.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; her son-in-law, Fritz Simonson; and her beloved husband and partner of 64 years, Donald H. Gibson. She is survived by her brother, Bill Riddick of Jasper, Texas; her three daughters: Donna Pickens and her husband John of Montgomery, Alabama; Merrie  Pendergrass and her husband Donald of Shreveport; and Janet Simonson of Longville; eight grandchildren: Ryan Pickens (Kelly), Neal Pickens (Kenan), Clay Pendergrass (Sofia), Scott Pendergrass (Chrissy), Jed Pendergrass (Meg), Rae Simonson, Sean Simonson (Robin), Kit Simonson; step grandson Fred Simonson; 16 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 2 P.M. on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at First United Methodist Church in DeRidder. Officiating will be Laraine Waughtal. Memorial service will be live on Facebook @ First United Methodist Church – DeRidder for those unable to attend the memorial service. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 P.M., following COVID 19 guidelines. A private graveside service will be held at Beauregard Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to all those who have provided such loving care and support for our mother: Dr. Henry Carter, Dr. Chris Granger, Dr. Jim Harvey, John Crosley, Rhonda Johnston, Belle Prothro, Martha McCallum, Liz Brack, Becky and Michaela Dunn, Neomi Morales, Janine Nevils, Donnell Greer, and Brighton Bridge Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Louisiana United Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston, La, the DeRidder First United Methodist Church music ministry fund, or the charity of the donor’s choice.