Ruby Mae Parker Talbert was born in Highland, North Carolina on March 27, 1916 to parents Homer and Nettie Parker. She passed away on February 7, 2009 in Oak Harbor, Washington.
Ruby, her parents, and brother Ray, arrived in Hamilton, WA when Rudy was just three months old. Her father had moved his family to Washington at that time so that he could obtain work in the logging industry. Ruby was always proud of her tar heel heritage.
Ruby was raised in Hamilton and attended school there through the eighth grade. At that time, she quit school to help take care of her ill mother and two younger siblings, sister Helen and brother Fred.
She met the love of her life, Shelby Talbert in 1934 at a Cook Road Grange Dance and they were married on July 1, 1935, sharing 71 happy years of marriage until Shelby’s death on July 13, 2006.
Shelby, along with his father and his brother, built their home on Talcott St in Sedro-Woolley in 1938 and it was their home for 64 years and where they raised their son Gary. The Talbert home was open day and night to Gary’s school friends and there was always a place at the dinner table for whoever happened to be there at meal time. These same friends fondly remembered that kindness from Ruby and they kept in contact and visited her regularly over the rest of her lifetime.
Ruby was a hard worker, doing field work for local farmers for 25 years. She also worked for many years as a clerk for Goss Variety in Sedro-Woolley.
Ruby was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, homemaker, friend, cook, and seamstress. She always enjoyed harvesting and canning her bounty from Shelby’s large garden. She especially enjoyed sharing her homemade jams.
Ruby enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and playing cards. She had a wonderful wit and a great sense of humor.
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Shelby, an infant son, William, at age of three months in 1936; her parents; and all her siblings.
She is survived by her devoted son and caregiver; Gary Claudean Talbert of Oak Harbor. Her grandson, Shannon Natashia Talbert of Fairfield, CA and their children, Ryan, Garrett, and Carisa and grand-daughter, Erin Bob Beale of San Ramon, CA and their children, Landon and Jake; the mother of her grandchildren, Loretta Talbert of Danville, CA. Nieces, Judy and Linda, cousin, Evelyn Bryson; close friends, Leah Loop who has been a friend since childhood, Debbie, CeCe, Mary, Pat, Patty, and Linda; and most recent caregivers, Bob, Cori, and Jenae from Island Carehaven; and her many other friends.
We all will miss Ruby’s sweet smile, and gentle touch. We love you Mom, go in peace.
Graveside Services will be Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with Mr. David Whittaker officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Boys & Girls Club of Sedro-Woolley, PO Box 94, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 Arrangements and Services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.