HOMEGOING for Ruby Lee Smith Lister: “All is well with my soul.”

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only but unto all of them also that love his appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8).”

Ruby (Duffy) Lee Smith Lister was called home by GOD Almighty on September 16, 2017 to be in the presence of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ as her work was finished on Earth, the Intermediate Heaven.
Ruby was born on May 8, 1939 to the late Earline Davis and LeRoy Smith. She excelled in Algebra and later attended and graduated from the prestigious Prairie View School of Nursing in the well renowned Texas Medical Center. She was privy to work with Dr. Denton A. Cooley, founder of the Texas Heart Institute and he also performed the first artificial heart implant, Dr. Michael E. DeBakey the pioneer in research and cardiovascular surgery, and Dr. James “Red” Duke, the trauma surgeon who founded the Memorial Hermann’s Life Flight Program. Her love and passion for others took her into a well respected career of private duty nursing where she not only gained the respect and trust of the families but also of the patients she took care of day and night.

Wise beyond her years and a beloved mother, Ruby never neglected her children since they were always her pride and joy, second only to GOD Almighty and she always put them first before herself. She always reminded them that “GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever shall believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).” It was her faith and belief in Christ Jesus that has now given her everlasting life. Ruby always took her prayers to the Throne of Grace to pray for others. Her love and kindness extended beyond her immediate family and she would always freely give whatever she had because she knew that her Father in Heaven would always give back to her when she was in need.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband Elby Lister, Sr., sons Patrick O. Lister, and Bruce E. Lister. Ruby is survived by five children, Elby B. Lister, Sharon Tarver Lister, Cedric H. Lister, Larrie Lister Sr., and Eric Lister; one sister Ms. Willie Mae Davis, one brother, Herman Ray Davis, and sister-in-law Mrs. Ethel Davis, daughters-in-law Lisa Lister, Pinky Austin Lister; son-in-law Charles Smith Sr. as well as her beloved nieces Jacquelyn Walker, “Peaches” Arlene Monique Simmons, and nephew Michael Walker. Grandchildren, Jan N. Lister, Siobhan L. Tarver Whitlock, Patrick O. Lister Jr., Andranika Lister , Troy Lister, Jr., Jonah T. Lister, including other grandchildren and one great grandchild. Ruby also leaves behind one truly beloved friend and sister in CHRIST Ms. Geraldine Jackson (Ms. J).

As it is written: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).” “All is well with my soul.”

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