Ruby Crochet Halbert, our dear mother, and proud grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother, gently closed her eyes to this earthly life and entered into her eternal glory Tuesday, February 28, 2023. At her passing, she was an amazing 104 years of age.
Ruby was born November 27, 1918 in rural Jeanerette to the late Clebert L. Crochet and the late Esma Landry Crochet and was the eleventh of thirteen children born to that union. Her sons spoke of the mother’s childhood, growing up in the early 1920's during the depression. Her family owned land and farmed vegetables and sugarcane. In her eyes, there was no depression as they lived off the resources of their land and also shared with others around them.
Ruby would eventually meet the man of her dreams, Harold Halbert, and they married sharing 70 beautiful years together, until his passing in 2013. Together, their family grew with the birth of three sons and eventually six grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter born recently.
Although Ruby spent some time working with the New Iberia recreation department, she was most proud of her role as a homemaker. As Allen and Donald said, she was the boss Monday through Friday while Harold was away working with CLECO, and jokingly said she was the boss when he returned. They reminisced about her cooking and the fact that Ruby never measured anything. If you asked her how much should be used, she would reply, “just a little bit”. Regardless of her not using recipes, everything she cooked was absolutely delicious.
Ruby had many pastimes that she and Harold enjoyed. Together, the participated and danced for 43 years with the New Iberia Hoedowners. They also spent time on the road and traveled as much as they could. One of their most memorable trips was a two week trek across Mexico, a trip that brought many great memories.
Above all else, Ruby’s greatest love was for her family. She truly believed in showing kindness to anyone whose path she crossed. She leaves a legacy of faith, love and compassion that will live on in the hearts and memories of all who knew and loved her so dearly.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sonsm, Donald John Halbert and wife Colleen and Allen Michael Halbert and wife Karen; her grandchildren, Kerry Thornton (Dale), Jayme Vercher, Brett Halbert (Angela), Lindsey Pitalo (Anthony), Boyd Halbert (Shelly) and Ben Halbert (Junie); her great grandchildren, Caleb, Cole, Caroline, Everett, Addie, Gibson, Eden, Greyson, Kate, Kyler, Blake, Cade and Brittlyn; and her great great grandchild, Sophia.
Along with her parents, Ruby was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Harold C. Halbert; her infant son, Harold C. Halbert; her granddaughter, Robin Halbert; and her sisters and brothers, Regile Crochet, Sidney Crochet, Ludy Crochet, Aline Sanders, Electa Crochet, Yvonne Hebert, Thecla Crochet, Joseph Crochet, Hazel Lejeune, Sonny Crochet, Elizabeth Boudreaux and R.L Crochet.
A service celebrating Ruby’s life will be held at 2pm Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Evangeline Funeral Home with Fr. William Blanda officiating. Paul and Judy Hebert will read for the Mass. Following the service, Ruby will be laid to rest at Holy Family Mausoleum alongside her husband. The family will receive guests on Saturday from 10:00 am until time of services, with the Rosary being prayed at 11:00 am
Pallbearers will be Dale and Cole Thornton, Everette Vercher, Brett Halbert, Ged Schwing, Boyd Halbert, Gibson Pitalo and Ben Halbert.
Relatives and friends are encouraged to share their condolences and memories with the family by visiting Ruby’s memorial page at www.evangelinenewiberia.com
Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
