Shelba Mae Ruddick

Alvord ~ Shelba Mae Ruddick, made her last train stop in heaven on February 8, 2023 while residing at the Medical Lodge in Decatur, Texas. She was 84yrs, 8 months & 13 days old.

Graveside service is 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 18, at Pleasant Grove #3 Cemetery, Chico, Tx.  Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Friday, February 17, at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport, Tx.

John Ruddick and Bill Moore will officiate. Pallbearers are Jordan Chandler, Kaleb Purkins, Kolton Purkins, Curtis Buckner, Matt Hollien, and Dustan Fennell.

Shelba was born on May 26, 1938 to Tollie and Clara Mae (Miles) Pate in Palestine, Tx.  She graduated from Aldine High School in Houston, Tx.

In 1962, after meeting at church and only knowing each other for 3 months with one official date, she eloped with Virgil Vernon Ruddick on June 13, 1962. They then had a traditional church wedding on June 30, 1962 at Sunnyland Assembly of God in Houston, Tx.  They moved to Alvord, Tx in May of 1969 and were married for 58 years.

Shelba loved the Lord and shared her faith in Jesus Christ with everyone.  She started singing in church at 2 years old and began playing piano, the organ, and the accordion as a young child.  She was an avid reader, student & teacher of the word of God.  Her grandmother taught her to read by reading the Bible at the age of 5 and she read volumes of Christian books throughout her life.  She did not just read books, she consumed them.  She was a giver and gave away more bibles & books than we can count.  She served in the ministry as a pastor’s wife, in jail ministry, as an adult Sunday school teacher, an ordained minister and intercessory prayer warrior.  She has played the piano in numerous churches, weddings, funerals and events across Wise County and the state of Texas.  She was a seamstress, a painter and she crocheted or knitted baby blankets for many of you reading this.  Shelba was a homemaker most of her life but also worked for Ruth’s on the Decatur square and at Wal-Mart in Decatur for several years.

Shelba was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister-in-law and a friend to many who will miss her dearly.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are her children, Noel Ruddick and wife LeeAnn of Chico, Wesley Ruddick and wife Donna of Alvord, Marie Ruddick of Decatur, and Andi Purkins and husband Randy of Nevada; her 9 grandchildren, Whitney Buckner and Curtis, Jordan Chandler, Shelbie Chandler and Kalyb, Cheyanne Fennell and Dustan, Katlin Hollien and Matt, Kaleb Purkins, Kolton Purkins, Cassie Skinner and Colt, Sarah Beck and Justin; her 12 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; she is survived by 6 brother-in-law’s and 3 sister-in-law’s: Edward Ruddick and Elwanda, Marla Patterson and Earnie, John Ruddick and Theresa, Royce Ruddick and Gale, all of Alvord, Judy Patterson and Ray of Bowie, Donnie Ruddick and Katrina of Bridgeport, Dale Ruddick and Cindy of Blytheville, Arkansas, Everette Ruddick of Port O’Conner, Marilyn Pope and Burnie of Jacksonville, North Carolina; her sister Tollie Louise Howe, sister-in-law Sharon Pate; several cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

She was proceeded in death by her husband Vernon Ruddick, grandson Ryan Ruddick; great-grandson Maverick Hollien; sister-in-laws Marie Cude and James; Myrtle Dulaney and Doug, Elaine Ruddick and Debbie Ruddick; her father, mother and brother Dillon Pate.