Ruby Pearl Whittington

Ruby Whittington, 93, beloved Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, and Spouse, went to her heavenly home on December 24, 2023.

She is preceded in death by her husband Bob, daughter Cynthia, brother Clifford, her parents Marvin and Estelle, sisters-in-law Sharon and Jackie, and brother-in-law Bill DeWitt.

She leaves behind her two sons, Gary Lunsford and Harlan (Butch) Lunsford with wife Brenda; granddaughters Heather Martinez with partner Jeff Winters, Christine Nicole Lunsford, and Tisha Lunsford with partner Mark Jakubowski; grandson Jimmy Tobyas with wife Michelle; great-grandchildren Christopher Lunsford with wife Jennifer, Dominique Tobyas, Victoria Tobyas, Zayden Martinez, Nevaeh Winters, and Taylor Lunsford; brothers Marvin Mosley with wife Charlene, Walter Mosley, Allen Mosley with wife Debbie; sisters Margie DeWitt, Katherine Muller with husband Darrell. She leaves numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and friends.

A memorial service will be held on January 6, 2024, at Paradise Hills United Methodist Church at 1:00 PM.

Ruby was born on November 3, 1930, in Iola, TX. She moved to New Mexico with her family at an early age, living in Jal for a short period, Hobbs until her first marriage to Harlan Lunsford (deceased), and then Carlsbad where her three children were born. She and her late husband Bob were married in 1969 and moved with daughter Cynthia to Albuquerque in 1970 where they lived for a time before she and Bob built their home in Paradise Hills in 1976.

Ruby worked at a prominent men's clothes company, T.C. Horne's, and at Potash Company of America while living in Carlsbad. After moving to Albuquerque, she worked in the Savings and Loan and banking business until she retired in late 1995.

She was active in many philanthropic, social, and educational organizations including the Westside Chamber of Commerce, Easter Seal Society of NM, SIPI, the Institute of Financial Education, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, participating in Ways & Means projects to raise funds for St. Jude research hospital, UNM Pediatric Oncology, and many other viable outreach and local charities.

Though she was very active in her work and community involvement, there was never a doubt that her family always had priority in her life. The time she had with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was her most prized possession. She always looked forward to the times she shared with all her family. She and Bob have mounds of pictures of their many memorable times of caring and sharing with family and friends.

Ruby’s love for life was enhanced because of the God she loved and served. She and Bob joined Paradise Hills United Methodist Church in the late 1980’s where they enjoyed actively participating in committees and outreach endeavors. Her love of working with children saw her being involved in the original formation of the church’s present Pre-School, and she was also a member of UMW at both her church and district levels. She always cherished the love and support her church family had given.