Ruby Jo Henson Haggard

Ruby Henson Haggard (Mrs. J. Alex) 82, of Stanton, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother died at her home Monday, January 26, 2009. She was born February 24, 1926, to Minyard Henson and Velma Bell Henson in Westbrook (Mitchell County). At the age of six months she moved with her parents to Martin County where they were involved in farming and ranching and where she remained a resident until her death. Ruby attended school in Martin County and graduated from Courtney High School as valedictorian of her class in 1943. On December 24, 1943, she married Alex Haggard in Stanton and they spent the next 58 years rearing their family and managing their farming and ranching operation. She was preceded in death by a sister, Ola Mae Henson, her parents, and husband, Alex. Ruby is survived by her son, Larry Haggard of Midland; two daughters and sons-in-law, Alexis Gayle and Gene Wheeler of Stanton and Joanna and Jeff Leighton of Sumter, South Carolina and two granddaughters, Dr. Erin Wheeler Cook and husband Kevin of Stanton and Paige Elizabeth Leighton of Sumter, South Carolina; sister, Sue Henson Standefer of Dallas and brother Nathan Heidelberg of Midland. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 29, 2009 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Gilbreath Funeral Home in Stanton. Graveside services for family, friends, and loved ones will be at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, January 30, 2009 at the Evergreen Cemetery in Stanton. Ruby Haggard was a gracious, dedicated, and active Martin County Community leader who set a standard for everyone regarding community service and caring. Ruby was a very giving person and her philanthropy was well known throughout Martin County and West Texas. In the 1970s she was selected as the Martin County Woman of the Year for her outstanding community service. Mrs. Haggard's affiliations and memberships over the years included, Stanton Study Club, Stanton Music Club, Martin County Historical Commission, Co-author of the history book "Martin County Its Land and Its People 1881-1978", Martin County Library Board, Stanton Garden Club, Evergreen Cemetery Board of Directors, Martin County Bicentennial Committee, Martin County Home Demonstration Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and lifelong member of the Downtown Church of Christ. Ruby's strong belief in education lead her to establish the J. Alex and Ruby Henson Haggard Scholarship Fund with the Permian Basin Area Foundation to enable young men and women with outstanding academic and community service records to have the opportuinity to pursue their educational dreams. Memorials may be directed to the scholarship fund in care of the Permain Basin Area Foundation, 200 North Loraine, Suite 500, Midland, TX 79701 or to any of the following of Mrs. Haggard's special interests: Friends of the Martin County Library, P. O. Box 882, Stanton, TX 79782; Evergreen Cemetery Association of Stanton, P. O. Box 1087, Stanton, TX 79782; Martin County Senior Citizens Center, P. O. Box 1233, Stanton, TX 79782; or to the Martin County Historical Museum, P. O. Box 929, Stanton, TX 79782. Arrangements under the direction of Gilbreath Funeral Home of Stanton. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,