Chatham…….Ruby Dillard Carter, age 81 of Chatham passed away Thursday, February 12, 2015 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Don and Rita Perkins of Altavista.
Ruby was born on September 3, 1933 to the late Americus Dillard and Annie Clay Dillard. She was lovingly named by her two older sisters Kathryn and Lorene. She was predeceased by her husband, Lucius Preston Carter; four sisters, Kathryn Mitchell, Betty Dudley, Lorene Gibson and Lucy Rigney; five brothers, Carroll Dillard, Mervin Dillard, Jim Dillard, Junior Dillard and Joe Dillard; a longtime companion, Robert Lee Gibson and a special little blond haired grandson, Preston Douglas Epperson, who passed away when he was four years old. The family takes comfort in knowing that grandma and grandson are together in Heaven. Mrs. Carter was a member of Hurt Pentecostal Holiness Church and was a former employee of Altavista Manufacturing. She enjoyed working with horses and riding wagons. She also enjoyed spending time with her family especially her great-grandchildren. Ruby always said her greatest joy was being a mother. She was always proud of her two little girls and made them feel loved and special. Later in life she enjoyed being a tour guide for Gibson Bus Lines owned by her longtime companion Robert Gibson. She will always be remembered as a beautiful women who loved easily and cherished many friendships over the years. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.
She is survived by two daughters, Rita Perkins and her husband, Don of Altavista and Pamela Carter and her companion, John Dingman of Altavista; one sister, Elizabeth Arthur of Hurt; two grandchildren, Jamie Dwayne Perkins and Brandy E. Hensley of Altavista; two great-grandchildren, Emily Anne Perkins and Olivia Grace Hart of Altavista; and a great-great-grandchild Elena Walshaw of Altavista.
Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Sunday, February 15, 2015 at Hurt Pentecostal Holiness Church by Pastor Mark Hopkins and Rev. James Manuel. Burial will follow in Altavista Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1 to 2:00 P.M. Sunday, February 15, 2015 at Hurt Pentecostal Holiness Church and other times will be at the residence of her daughter and son-in-law, Rita and Don Perkins, 2217 Beverly Heights, Altavista.
The family would like to thank Ruby's nurses, Theresa Myers and Shavonda Guyton and the staff at Gentle Shepherd for their loving care and support.
Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.colbertmoran.com.