Ruby Muriel Childress

Ruby was born June 15, 1922, she had a good life, was married to Jerry Childress at the age of 16, and raised four boys into adulthood. Such a precious mother who is already missed by family and friends. As she aged, her family grew with four sons, nine grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren and plus more on the way. She was so proud of all of us.

Mom loved Jesus her entire life; she was filled with the Holy Spirit at a young age. Her parents raised her to know God and enjoy His presence.

Mom was proceeded in death by her parents and her four siblings. Her parents were Jessie Dar Austin and Arria Dell (Hutson) Austin, her brothers and sisters were Owen Austin, Euell Lewis, Iva Jean Green and Donald Austin.

She was married in Bristow, Oklahoma on June 18, 1938 to Jerry Childress, dad passed away after 69 1/2 years of marriage on December 20, 2008. Coincidentally? mom passed away the night of December 20, 2020. We know both are at home with our Lord Jesus and family.

Mom’s sons and families are Harold Eugene Childress and Phyllis, Clyde Everett Childress and Betty, Jimmie Wayne Childress and Julie, David Lowell Childress and Marcia. All of her children are still living which was a blessing to her to not have had a child lost during her lifetime. She was grateful for this.

Mom grew up in the great State of Oklahoma and loved her home State. She kept a lot of things in her room to remind her of Oklahoma. She and dad with family moved to Wasco, California in 1942, back to Oklahoma, back to Shafter, back to Oklahoma then back to Shafter; finally settling in Bakersfield in 1952. In 1959 mom went to work at Brocks’ Department Store, was there for 12 years. Then she was asked by Sister Hight at church to work for her teaching sewing to those wanting to learn at the Knit Wit Fabric Store, for 7 years. She was sent to San Francisco and Los Angeles for her also to be trained in new ways of sewing for her, she enjoyed creating and teaching. Her favorite teaching specialty was men’s’ wear tailoring. In the days of polyester, she made each of her boys a suit.

Dad and mom attended the Pentecostal Church of God at 36th and L Streets for over 40 years. She made a lot of friends who were so dear to her. As life moved on, she eventually began attending the New Covenant Church in Oildale where she was in attendance for over 20 years.

This past year mom made that the statement that she had had a good life, saw her children grow up and was pleased that we still get together as a family. Family meant so much to her as she lived out her years.

One in our family had a dream a few days before her passing. He saw the Austin family in heaven as mom entered; Uncle Donald always liked to kid around a lot with people. He said, “Hey sis, it took you long enough”. She was the last of the siblings to leave this life. I am sure that those that knew Uncle Donald can see him in their mind’s eye saying this.

We as a family are pleased that all of you have fond memories of mom, truly a jewel, who we all have had the pleasure of sharing. She is truly missed. Her words to all that knew her would be “I love you”.

The Childress Family