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Born August 1, 1917 to the late Warren and Sallie Williamson, Rubye Grace Williamson Smith was the 5th of nine children and passed from this world to join her Heavenly Father on February 27, 2017. A Simpson County native, she graduated from Mt. Olive High School. At the age of 17, she married the late Willie Lee Smith of the Mt. Zion Community. Rubye always called him “my Billy”. They were married until his death in 1993.
After Billy was deployed in World War II, Rubye worked at Stephens Mercantile in Mendenhall. She also worked for Kenningtons and the Emporium in Jackson as a buyer and model, and later was employed The Palmyra Shoppe in Mendenhall where she stayed for the next 18 years. Her career moved in a different direction, as Rubye worked with children as a social worker. She loved children and said the love shared with children was returned many times over. She said that people, especially children, needed love, and she took great pride in sharing love, faith and kindness with others. She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church and a former long time member of First Baptist Church, Mendenhall, MS.
Although Rubye had no children of her own, she helped rear her niece, Betsye S. Duckworth. Rubye and Betsye claimed each other as mother and daughter.
Rubye always loved wearing leopard print and as well decorated her home in leopard and red. Always stylish, she had a lovely smile and loved beautiful styles of fashion.
Rubye is survived by her niece, Betsye Duckworth (Billy) Brandon, MS, Grandchildren, Matt Duckworth (Suzanne) New Orleans, LA, granddaughter Jill Duckworth, Washington DC. Along side, Betsye in caring for Ms. Rubye, was her niece Sallye Williamson Wade (Scott) of Magee, MS. She also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly and took great pride in each of their lives and accomplishments.
In honoring Rubye’s request, a 2:00 p.m. grave-side service will be held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery on Thursday, March 2, 2017 with visitation at 1:00 p.m. at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Mendenhall, MS. Reverend Rodney Anderson will officiate. The family would like to thank the caring staff and friends at Arrington Living Center in Collins, MS where she had resided the last four years of her life.
sign online guestbook at www.colonialchapelmageemendenhall.com
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