Ruby Ray Ledbetter

Ruby Ray Hawkins Ledbetter October 10, 1916 June 7, 2009 Ruby Ray Hawkins Ledbetter passed away at Hillcrest Baptist Hospital on June 7, 2009, while surrounded by her loving family. Services will be at 11:00 on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, with Dr. Steve Mansen officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m., June 8, in the Wilkirson Hatch Bailey Garden Room. Mrs. Ledbetter was born to James Bell Pickens and Ada Belle McMillan on October 10, 1916, in DeKalb, TX. Ruby and James Otis Hawkins were married in DeKalb in 1933 and were blessed with two sons, Jim and David Hawkins. After a period of years as a single parent, Ruby married the love of her life, Tom Ledbetter, in 1952. They moved from Texarkana to Waco in 1953. Ruby and Tom owned and operated the "Cottage Beauty Shop" for 29 years. She was a very successful businesswoman and made many lifelong friends over the years. She was very active in the Democratic Party with her husband Tom Ledbetter, McLennan County Commissioner, until his death in 1979. Ruby was a very loyal member of Western Heights Baptist Church, and while she was able, always attended. One of her greatest joys was "Saturday morning family breakfast" at Harold Waite's Pancake House. She always enjoyed the camaraderie with her sons, grandchildren, family and friends. Ruby was such a wonderful loving mother and grandmother, and her love was unconditional. Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James Otis Hawkins, and husband, Tom Ledbetter; brothers, Olen Pickens, Cecil Pickens, Boyd Pickens, Stanley Pickens, J. V. Pickens, Ovie Pickens; and sisters, Veda Pickens and Loraine Pickens. Mrs. Ledbetter is survived by two loving sons, Jim Hawkins and wife, Nell, and David Hawkins and wife, Sherry, all of Waco; grandchildren, Lori Martin of Waco, Lisa Green and husband, Philip, of Westport, CT, Boyd Hawkins and wife, Donna, of Coppell, TX, and Holly Orr of Seabrook, TX, Larry Turner of Ft. Worth, TX and Melanie Craft and husband, Michael, of Keller, TX; great-grandchildren, Chris, Elizabeth and Elliott Martin of Waco, AJ, Kathryn and Jennifer Green of Westport, Taylor and Lindsey Hawkins of Coppell, Brian, Austin and David Orr of Seabrook, Bryan and Megan Carter of Keller; her brother, Quitman Pickens of San Antonio; and sister-in-law Mary Pickens of Philadelphia, PA. She leaves many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers will be Boyd Hawkins, Chris Martin, Elliott Martin, Brian Orr, Austin Orr and David Orr. Honorary pallbearers are "Her Loving Ledbetter Family." Meme, we will miss your sweet smiling face and all of the wonderful love you bestowed upon all of us. The bad days are over now, and you can finally rest peacefully in Heaven. We will never forget you and will always love you. Our family would like to thank Debra Garrett, Charlie Wells, Sylvia Pringle and Rosemary Flores, who have lovingly cared for our Meme. You have all been there during good and bad times, and your compassion and loyalty are much appreciated. She loved you all dearly. God bless you all. In lieu of flowers, we would like to ask that memorials be made to Western Heights Baptist Church, Fuzzy Friends, Cameron Park Zoo or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.