Rubye Donie Weldon Stripland passed away on Feb. 7, 2023, in Paris, Texas, after a short illness.
She was born Sept. 13, 1942, at Graham, Texas, to Chester and Donie (Bass) Weldon. She graduated from Graham High School in 1961.
She was a lifelong member of the Primitive Baptist Church. At the age of 21, she married Jackie Peterson, who was a deacon in the church until his death in March of 1996. Two years later, she married Harley Stripland, a longtime minister in the Primitive Baptist Church, until his death in June of 2016. He was pastor of the Mt. Paran Primitive Baptist Church in Paris, where Rubye remained a member until her death.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She spent her career as a wife, mother, homemaker, professional seamstress, substitute teacher and nursing home staff member.
In addition, Rubye was an author of numerous children’s books, including the Lucy Bell series. She was known for her writings of many stories due to her imaginative mind. She was full of life and had a positive impact on everyone she met.
She is survived by two daughters — Dodie Zant and Janet (Tai) Pham; grandsons Channing (Robert) Zant, Casey (Jana) Zant, and Brendan Fischer; great grandsons Cooper Zant and Carter Zant; one sister, Merle Ratheal; one brother, Doyle (Lee) Weldon; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is also survived by stepchildren, Jimmie Stripland and wife Janet, Jessie Stripland, and wife Eileen, Carol Crawford and husband Randy, Connie Faulkner and husband Bengy, Tommy Stripland and wife Roberta, and their children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Joe Weldon and his wife Ruba, Ellison Harvey (Pete) Weldon and his wife Marcia, Joyce Barnes and her husband Bill, Laverne Browning and her husband Guy, and brother-in-law Roy Ratheal.
She will be greatly missed by her family, her friends, and the many church members she knew over the years.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mt. Paran Primitive Baptist Church, Paris, Texas.
