Ruby Skelton

1924 - 2020

Ruby Skelton, 96, of Midland passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020 in Midland. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m., Monday, December 14, 2020 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Graveside service will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Westbrook Cemetery near Colorado City. Ruby was born August 11, 1924 to Terry and Artie Smith Padgett around the Decatur, TX area. When she was 2 years old, she, her mother and her grandparents moved to the Wichita Mountains area in Oklahoma, where Ruby lived until graduating from high school in 1943. She then attended Draughan's Business College in Wichita Falls TX. She moved to Midland in 1947, and worked at Sunray Oil Co. In 1953 she met James Skelton and they married shortly after on July 18, 1954. In 1959 they became members of the newly formed Wilshire Park Baptist Church. She was a mother and a housewife until 1974, which she said were the best years of her life. At that time she attended the Midland College School of Vocational Nursing and upon graduation she immediately began working for Midland Memorial Hospital. She retired in 1989 but continued to work there as needed for another six years. She also volunteered at the Children's Clinic and the Senior Center Office for about 20 years. During her retirement years she traveled extensively with friends and the First Baptist Church Senior group. Ruby valued family and always looked forward to connecting with them through visits, cards and calls. Those left to remember her are her children Don (Catherine) Skelton, Dale (Tina) Skelton, and Linda (Charles) Hall; grandchildren Stephanie Hill, Chris Skelton, Melody Magnus, Mandy Magill, Heather Redner, and Jamie Hall; 14 great grandchildren; brother Wayne Hutson of Rocklin, CA; sisters Betty Hicks of Prattville, AL and Peggy Click of McLoud, OK. Ruby was preceded in death by her husband JE Skelton Jr; parents Artie and Doll Hutson, Terry Padgett; granddaughter Traci Skelton; brother Terry "Boe" Padgett. The family would like to acknowledge the care provided to Ruby in her last years at Manor Park Helen Greathouse Assisted Living and the Vogel Center, and especially the Scharbauer Cottage Staff for their loving care in the last week. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Ruby's memory to Janet's Closet, in care of Midland Memorial Hospital Foundation, 400 Rosalind Redfern Grover Pkwy, Midland, TX 79701. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.