Ruby Thurber

Ruby Emma Goetze Thurber, age 98, of Odessa passed away on Friday, September 12, 2014, at home in Odessa,
The Memorial Services will follow burial at 11:00 AM, Saturday, September 20, 2014 at Central Baptist Church with Reverend Vaughny Taylor officiating.
Graveside rites will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, September 20, 2014 in the Masonic area at Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.
Ruby was born in Iowa Park, TX to Karl T. and Lucy Idelle Furlow Goetze on February 10, 1916. She attended school in Emerson, Arkansas and Iowa Park, TX where she graduated in 1933. She married George Rodney Thurber June 1, 1934 in Iowa Park, TX. Ruby and George lived in Wink, TX before moving to Odessa. They were listed as one of the first 100 Families of Odessa. She was a homemaker and was a member of the Methodist Church where she worked in the nursery. She and George were founding members of Highland United Methodist Church where she attended and taught the Womens Craft Classes. When she moved to West Odessa she became a founding member of Aldersgate Methodist Church and later Resurrection Methodist Church. She volunteered with the Red Cross and became interested in their work. She received her first aid card and continued to become a Certified First Aid Instructor and taught many of the policemen and firemen in the Odessa area. She was Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout Leader and volunteered with the Boy Scout Troop. She taught first aid to the Girl and Boy Scout Troops to get their merit badges. Enjoying being a first aid instructor, she became a Home Nursing Instructor. In the 50s she was a founding member of the Odessa Civil Defense Team. After the death of her husband, she worked for Cloth World and Yollies as a seamstress and sewing for individuals. She attended Odessa College taking sewing and tailoring classes and she was a sewing instructor at Interfaith Sewing Center. She was honored by Gamma Tau, Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Teachers Sorority by being selected to become an Honorary Member.
Ruby is preceded in death by her parents, Karl Goetze and Idella Cochran, step dad, Dud Cochran, sisters, Allie Ireland and Clydell Simmons Haley, brother in laws, Dennis Simmons, Bailey Ireland, Bobby Adams and Kenneth Hale, son in law, John Daniel, grandson, Lance Thurber and great granddaughter, Crystal Lopez.
She is survived by her sons, Gene and wife Joan Thurber of Odessa, Mick and wife Debbie Thurber of Georgetown, TX, daughter Phyllis White of Odessa, sister, Juanita Adams of Magnolia, Arkansas, six grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews as well as her beloved pet Puppy Davidson.
The Thurber, White, Lopez, Warren and Stark families wish to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Lifland, Dr. Duke, the staff of ORMC, Home Hospice, Central Baptist Church and Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Central Baptist Church Debt Retirement or Alzheimers Association.

Service

Graveside Services

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 East Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Saturday, September 20, 2014
10:00 AM

Memorial Service

Central Baptist Church
1401 N. Texas Ave
Odessa, TX  79761
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
11:00 AM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762