Courtesy of Greer Funeral Home

Rubye Morris-Wooldridge

© Greer Funeral Home

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Rubye Morris-Wooldridge, 92, passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at Jackson County Memorial Hospital.

Rubye was born to Robert Nathan and Geneva (Duval) Morris of Gould on March 21, 1920, in Hollis, Oklahoma. She graduated from LaCasa Schools in Hollis, Oklahoma in 1937. She attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Weatherford, Oklahoma and graduated in 1941 with a B.A. in Life Elementary and Life English. Rubye began her teaching career at Canadian County in 1941. On January 21, 1944, Rubye met and married Teddy C. Wooldridge while teaching in Vinson, Oklahoma. She continued to teach in Vinson for 12 years. On March 6, 1945, Rubye and Ted began their family when their son, Bob, was born.

In 1954, the family moved to Mangum where Ted continued farming and ranching and Rubye continued teaching for the next 25 years. She taught for one year in Brinkman before being employed by Mangum Public Schools in 1955 where she taught the final 25 years of her career. Rubye taught a total of 40 years, and was a devoted teacher. She was listed in the 1973 edition of Outstanding Elementary Teachers of America. Her principal noted her as “professional, through and through with an outstanding way of reaching her students.” Rubye helped establish the first Head Start program in Mangum and taught in the summer program for 7 years. She was active in tutoring, and had a passion for helping children learn.

Rubye and Ted were happily married for 60 years. They were devoted members of the First United Methodist Church in Mangum where Ruby enjoyed teaching Sunday school and being involved in the choir. Rubye was the music director for the children’s department and the children’s church. She enjoyed all outdoor activities including: tennis, fishing, riding horses, gardening, and helping with the horse operation. Rubye was a devout bridge player and was a member of various bridge clubs in Mangum. Rubye was an eternal optimist and was always willing to offer words of encouragement. She will be lovingly missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ted, in 2004; one brother, C.L. Morris; and one sister, Bobbie Lou Beets.

Rubye is lovingly survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Martha Wooldridge of Altus, Oklahoma; one sister, Madeline McGee of Hollis, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Ashley and Chad Robinson and their children, Taylor, Marlie, and Josie of Gould, Oklahoma, and Jennifer and Slade Roberson and their children, Chase and Brock of Edmond, Ok; and by several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Rubye Wooldridge will be at 10 a.m., Monday, April 16, 2012 at the Mangum First United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery under the direction of Greer Funeral Home of Mangum.

The family will greet friends at Greer Funeral Home, Sunday, April 15, 2012, from 4 until 5 p.m.

Online tributes may be made to the family at www.GreerFuneral.com