Ruby Boyd Parker

Ruby Boyd Parker died peacefully at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo on Friday, January 28, with family by her side. Born in Canton, MS on July 20, 1922, she was the daughter of Farrell J. Boyd and Omega Denson Boyd Binns. She graduated from Central High School in Jackson in 1939. The following year she met and married Richard T. Parker of Mendenhall, MS. They lived and worked in Jackson where they raised their two children. For 35 years they shared a passion for real estate and development.

After the death of her first husband, she was blessed with a second wonderful husband, Clinton P. Hester of McComb, MS. They resided in Jackson and enjoyed traveling and spending time with their two families until his death in 1993.

Ruby was a member of Northminster Baptist Church and was active in various community groups. She enjoyed her memberships in her bridge clubs and dinner clubs and treasured her many dear any loyal friends. In her starring role she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, a true southern lady, beautiful inside and out, her family will forever be grateful to “Mimi” for her unconditional love and generosity.

Survivors include one daughter, Brenda Parker Hilbun and her husband, Benton, of Tupelo; one son, Richard Wayne Parker, and his wife, Zeita, of Jackson; five grandchildren, Benton Hilbun, Jr., and wife, Jenni, of Tupelo, Richard Kevin Hilbun, and wife, Karen, of Birmingham, AL, Parker Hilbun Spees and husband, Shane, of Birmingham, AL, Richard Wayne Parker, Jr. of Jackson and Zeita Parker Jones and husband, Matt, of Nashville, TN; nine great-grandchildren, Benton, Taylor, and Betsy Hilbun of Tupelo, Lily Hilbun of Birmingham, AL, Addy Parker and Michael Spees of Birmingham, AL, and Tyler, Audrey, and Matthew Jones of Nashville; two brothers, Joseph Heard Boyd of Jackson and Farrell J. Boyd, Jr. and wife, Jenny, of Clinton; and special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Richard T. Parker and Clinton P. Hester; by her parents, Omega Denson Binns and Farrell J. Boyd.

The family would like to express their appreciation to her devoted caregiver, Linda Clark, to the staff at Campbell Cove/ St. Catherine’s Village, and to the staff at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, January 31, 2011, at 1:00 PM at Northminster Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until the service hour in the Great Hall. The interment will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park on Clinton Boulevard.

Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.