Ruby Mathis' Obituary
A devout Christian, a devoted wife, a caring sister, a loving mother and grandmother, loyal friend, Ruby Jewel Johnson was born to Ulysses and Velma Lee Dixon-Johnson on November 25, 1950, in Longview, TX. Ruby professed her faith at an early age and was baptized at East Cotton St. Church of Christ in Longview, TX. She attended and graduated from Womack High School in 1968, where she excelled in academics and later earned several certifications in computer technology and engineering drafting.
Ruby Jewel had a successful career with Southwestern Bell Telephone (now known as AT&T) as an engineering drafting clerk where she retired after 33 years of service. During the summers of her children’s early years, Ruby was the head softball coach for the Lillies softball team in Longview, TX. After retiring from Southwestern Bell, Ruby decided to turn her energy to the children of Longview Independent School District (LISD) where she worked at Ware Elementary as an administrative assistant and then later as a substitute teacher throughout LISD. Throughout her life, her favorite past-time was walking. She thoroughly enjoyed walking 5 miles a day at the Christus Good Shepherd Institute for Healthy Living for many years and you never saw her without her famous “stick”.
Mrs. Ruby Jewel Mathis entered into holy matrimony with her beloved husband James Harold Mathis, her true partner and love on September 24, 1971, and had two beautiful daughters, Jamie and Jennifer. Together, they built a life filled with joy, adventure, and love. Ruby’s faith was central to her life, guiding her through both triumphs and challenges.
Ruby's life was marked by love, joy, and service. Her radiant smile and positive energy left a lasting impact on everyone she met. Ruby's legacy is one of family-first, integrity, honesty, hard work, and a commitment to making sure everything around her was “super clean”.
Ruby Jewel leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband, James H. Mathis of Longview, TX; two daughters, Jamie Melissa Hughes (Franz) of Manvel, TX, Jennifer Dichelle Rhodes (Gilbert) of Midlothian, TX; three grandchildren, Gabrielle Rhodes, Franz Eric Hughes II “Lil Red”, Giddeon James Rhodes “Lil G”; three sisters, Velma Lee Hutchins of Longview, TX, Opal Jones of Killeen, TX, Annette Wiley of Kilgore, TX, two brothers, Ulysses Johnson, Jr.(Katy) and Mark Johnson (Judy) of Longview, TX; adopted brother,
Daryl Young of Longview, TX., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Though her time with us was short, her memory will be cherished forever.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul." — Psalm 23:1-3
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