Ruby Lee Ellender Gauley

On April 12, 2023, Ruby Lee Ellender Gauley of Pearl River, Louisiana, went home to be with the Lord while surrounded by her family and in the comfort of her home. She was 94. Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, MV (Bill) Gauley, her daughter, Kay White, her parents, Adna and Edith (Little) Ellender, her sister, Belle Trahan, and brothers, Robert, Buddy and Roy Ellender. Ruby was born February 19, 1929, in Hackberry, Louisiana, where she grew up "on the island" and graduated at age 16 from Hackberry High School. She went on to graduate from Business College in Lake Charles. From there she started her first job at Shell Oil Co, also in Lake Charles, where she met Bill Gauley, a Western Union employee, when he fixed her teletype machine. After their marriage, she moved with him to his hometown, Pearl River. They built their home and raised four successful children, Jo Lynn McQueen (Ralph), Lisa Kay White, Tammi Edith Fandal (Boo), and Bill Kevin Gauley (Karen). Ruby and Bill leave behind a wonderful legacy through their grandchildren, Heather Benton, Matt McQueen, Danielle Nelson, Jessica Gauley, Marcee Pirie, Aimee Reid, Bill Gauley, and Hillary Nelson; and their great grandchildren, Noah, Rain, Luke, Peyton, Levi, Ella, Hadassah, Layla, Madeline, Ruby Lee, and Miles. She is also survived by her sister, Delores McQueen.



Ruby became involved in her new community immediately as a founding member of the local Women's Civic Club. She always loved Pearl River and the people of the town. After her children started school, she was actively involved for many years on the boards of the local PTAs and other local organizations. She was asked to teach Kindergarten for Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and was very successful. After several years of teaching, she was asked to be Pearl River's Town Clerk and Tax Collector. She got her education through local universities to become certified with the State of Louisiana as a Municipal Clerk. She was one of the first in the state. After retiring as Town Clerk, she decided she could do more for her people and ran for the office of Town Councilmember. She won each time by an overwhelming margin and also became the Mayor Pro Tem. She served eight years on the Council and founded the Pearl River and Honey Island Swamp Museum. Ruby felt local children were growing up without realizing the proud and interesting history of the town and she knew a good museum would really benefit both the children and adults of her community. The list of her accomplishments goes on, but if you knew her, you know she was a tireless worker who shied away from any credit or accolades. Her warmth and willingness to help anyone and everyone will be remembered and cherished forever. She was a faithful servant of her Lord and Savior, and she was a member of New Jerusalem Church (now Generations) for several decades.



A Celebration of Ruby Gauley's life will be held Saturday April 22, 2023, at Generations Church, Military Rd, Pearl River. Visitation will be from 9:30 am to 11:30 am with the Funeral service starting at 11:30 am. Interment to follow at Gauley Family Cemetery, McQueen Rd, Pearl River. Williams Funeral Home, Pearl River, is in charge of arrangements.