Services for Jo Kathleen Derrington, 76, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Falvey United Methodist Church in Wells, with Reverend Daniel Rigsby officiating. Interment will follow in the Thompson Cemetery in Wells.
Kathleen went home to the Lord on September 13, 2021, in her daughter’s home, surrounded by family and friends. She was born on October 28, 1944, to Rayford and Jesse Mae Ruby. She grew up in Wells, Texas with her 3 brothers and parents.
Kathleen became a chemical saleswoman in Houston during a time when women weren’t common in the workforce, and her strong spirit, determination and fierce intellect made her a raging success. In that period, a reporter wrote a story about her in the Houston Chronicle! She met and married Jerry Dallas Derrington, had her only child, Rachel, and gained two step-sons, Russell and Eric. Kathleen then dedicated the rested of her life to motherhood and creating a beautiful home.
Kathleen was a nurturer and was always available to her family. She was constantly there to protect and provide for a brother, sister-in-law, friend, or child in need. If you were in the hospital and there wasn’t a chair in the room, she slept next to you on the floor. If you needed money for your education (or legal fees!), she wrote you a check. All children adored her, especially her daughter, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, because she made every event special and fun. Kathleen’s gift to children was to make them feel valuable, secure, safe and loved.
In January of 2003, Kathleen became “Nandy” when her twin grandsons, Justin and Landon, were born. Taking a trip to “Nandyland” involved new toys, new clothes, hugs, kisses, and cookies for breakfast, whether you were her grandson or one of their friends in tow. They were the center of Nandy’s universe for her remaining years, and doubled the joy in her life. Nandy was beyond thrilled to gain a granddaughter this year when Rachel’s life partner introduced her to his 9-year-old daughter, Ellen.
A natural interior designer, Kathleen’s houses were featured on home tours and were given both city and neighborhood recognition and awards. She loved flowers and birds, too, and found great comfort and peace in her gardens – where she also felt closest to God. She spent hours admiring the flowers and watching the birds that visited her feeders. She even enjoyed the squirrels that stole their food!
The life of the party, Kathleen had a laugh that was infectious and lit up the room. She was always impeccably dressed, make up perfectly applied, not one hair out of place. She loved to play cards and dominos, tell funny stories, and play practical jokes. She liked to travel in her younger years, too, from the Caribbean to Austria. A voracious reader, she usually had a book nearby, often finishing it in one day.
Kathleen was a woman of great faith. Rachel grew up watching her underline her Bible and write notes in the margins. Rachel mimicked this throughout her life, and as Kathleen lay on her bed last weekend getting closer and closer to the end of her life, it was these marked passages in Proverbs, Psalms and Ecclesiastes that Rachel read to her.
Nandy was always there for us. When we experience a beautiful bird land on our windowsill, cock its head and sing, or feel a cool breeze while we admire a perfect pink rose, we will be reminded that she is always in our hearts.
Nandy was preceded in death by her parents, Rayford and Jesse-Mae Ruby; and her first love, Jerry Dallas Derrington.
She is survived by daughter, Rachel Yarbrough Derrington and life partner, Chief of Police Ed Kading; step-sons, Russell and Eric Derrington; grandsons, James Landon and Justin Richard Yarbrough; granddaughter, Ellen Katherine Kading; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Carol and Carolyn Ruby, Dan and Patty Ruby, and David and Diane Ruby; nieces and nephews, Lloyd and Christine Slinkard, Michael and Julie Ruby, Josh and Molly Ruby, Jennifer Ruby and Lachlan, Daniel Ruby; her chosen sister, Kay Graham; and many cousins and friends.
Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com
Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.
