1929
Ruby
2014
Ruby Jewel (Nichols) Whitfill
September 18, 1929 — December 29, 2014
Ruby Jewel Nichols Whitfill passed away after a brief illness at age 85 on December 29, 2014. Ruby was born September 18, 1929 in Plainview, Texas, the only child of Alvin and Louzilla (Cox) Nichols, early Floyd and Hale County settlers. When Ruby was young, they moved from Plainview to the family farm near South Plains, Texas. After graduation from Floydada High School, Ruby married Glenn Tierce Whitfill on July 6, 1947 at her parents’ home. They lived in Floyd County where their daughters Judy and Cindy were born. They farmed there until 1957, when the family moved to Mathis, Texas, where Glenn began his career with Purina dealerships. Ruby began working at the local paper, where her specialties were serving as Society Editor and covering local stories of interest.
Following a move to Sweetwater in 1960, Glenn and Ruby both worked for the local Purina dealership, Porter Feed Company. They purchased the business in 1969 and changed the name to El Rancho Feed Company, Inc. Ruby’s specialties in the business were accounting and the plant nursery. She also became an active member of ABWA (Association of Business Women of America) and served in various capacities in that organization.
Ruby and Glenn were active members of Highland Heights United Methodist Church, serving in various ministries. Following a chance encounter at the local hospital with a sweet thirteen year old named Ann, they demonstrated the true love of Christ when they opened their home to Ann and her younger sisters Sue and Patricia. Ruby loved these “adopted” daughters as she loved her own, and they became true family to Ruby and Glenn.
In 1984, they sold their business and moved to Lake Sweetwater. Following this first retirement, they enjoyed a variety of activities, beginning with a cross country RV trip across the western and northwestern United States and up to Canada. Much of their time revolved around Glenn’s passion for playing Traditional Country and Western Swing music; and they ventured to many senior dances, local musicals, and nursing homes. Probably their favorite “hobby” at the lake was entertaining children, especially family. They took special delight in taking the children “tubing”, seeing who would be the first one tossed into the waves. Ruby also “un-retired” and went to work in sales for Beall’s Department Store, where her specialties were helping her customers and enjoying friends.
After Ruby retired for the final time, they enjoyed many summers in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Again, much of their life there revolved around music and church. They became summer members at the J-Bar-J Country Church, where Glenn played in the band. They maintained contact with friends from that time throughout the years. Back in Sweetwater, they continued to enjoy music and dancing. Glenn preceded her in death in 2011, after 63 years of marriage. Ruby remained at the lake until her death, where her specialties were spoiling grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and her two dogs, Prissy and Peanut.
Ruby is survived by daughters Judy Allen of Gulf Breeze, Florida; Cindy Michaels (wife of Terre) of Garland, Texas; and Patricia Hamra (wife of Kent) of Lewisville, Texas. Grandchildren include Davvyonnae Krehl (wife of Matt) of Pensacola, Florida; Stefanie Michaels of Plano, Texas; Tammie Smith of Plano, Texas; Spencer Hamra of Lewisville, Texas; Amy Bates of Chicago, Illinois; Nick Mays of Odessa, Texas; Tasha Landrum of Odessa, Texas, Bobby Landrum of Odessa, Texas; and Christine Cummings (wife of Tim) of Arlington, Texas. Great-grandchildren include Makayla Krehl of Pensacola, Florida; Ethan Wilmore of Saginaw, Texas; Keslie Holt of Azle, Texas; and Austin Holt of Azle, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Louzilla Nichols; daughter Ann Seay (wife of Melvon of Seminole, Texas); daughter Sue Landrum; and son-in-law Robert Landrum.
Funeral Services will be at Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jake Wade officiating on Sunday, January 4, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in Sweetwater Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Ruby’s honor to Highland Heights United Methodist Church.
Following a move to Sweetwater in 1960, Glenn and Ruby both worked for the local Purina dealership, Porter Feed Company. They purchased the business in 1969 and changed the name to El Rancho Feed Company, Inc. Ruby’s specialties in the business were accounting and the plant nursery. She also became an active member of ABWA (Association of Business Women of America) and served in various capacities in that organization.
Ruby and Glenn were active members of Highland Heights United Methodist Church, serving in various ministries. Following a chance encounter at the local hospital with a sweet thirteen year old named Ann, they demonstrated the true love of Christ when they opened their home to Ann and her younger sisters Sue and Patricia. Ruby loved these “adopted” daughters as she loved her own, and they became true family to Ruby and Glenn.
In 1984, they sold their business and moved to Lake Sweetwater. Following this first retirement, they enjoyed a variety of activities, beginning with a cross country RV trip across the western and northwestern United States and up to Canada. Much of their time revolved around Glenn’s passion for playing Traditional Country and Western Swing music; and they ventured to many senior dances, local musicals, and nursing homes. Probably their favorite “hobby” at the lake was entertaining children, especially family. They took special delight in taking the children “tubing”, seeing who would be the first one tossed into the waves. Ruby also “un-retired” and went to work in sales for Beall’s Department Store, where her specialties were helping her customers and enjoying friends.
After Ruby retired for the final time, they enjoyed many summers in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Again, much of their life there revolved around music and church. They became summer members at the J-Bar-J Country Church, where Glenn played in the band. They maintained contact with friends from that time throughout the years. Back in Sweetwater, they continued to enjoy music and dancing. Glenn preceded her in death in 2011, after 63 years of marriage. Ruby remained at the lake until her death, where her specialties were spoiling grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and her two dogs, Prissy and Peanut.
Ruby is survived by daughters Judy Allen of Gulf Breeze, Florida; Cindy Michaels (wife of Terre) of Garland, Texas; and Patricia Hamra (wife of Kent) of Lewisville, Texas. Grandchildren include Davvyonnae Krehl (wife of Matt) of Pensacola, Florida; Stefanie Michaels of Plano, Texas; Tammie Smith of Plano, Texas; Spencer Hamra of Lewisville, Texas; Amy Bates of Chicago, Illinois; Nick Mays of Odessa, Texas; Tasha Landrum of Odessa, Texas, Bobby Landrum of Odessa, Texas; and Christine Cummings (wife of Tim) of Arlington, Texas. Great-grandchildren include Makayla Krehl of Pensacola, Florida; Ethan Wilmore of Saginaw, Texas; Keslie Holt of Azle, Texas; and Austin Holt of Azle, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Louzilla Nichols; daughter Ann Seay (wife of Melvon of Seminole, Texas); daughter Sue Landrum; and son-in-law Robert Landrum.
Funeral Services will be at Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jake Wade officiating on Sunday, January 4, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in Sweetwater Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Ruby’s honor to Highland Heights United Methodist Church.
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