Ruby Dougherty Davis went to her heavenly home on January 26, 2022, at 100 years of age. She was born on January 20, 1922 to Estle and Clarella Wilson in a small farming community in central Oklahoma, called Orlando. Her father was a World War I veteran and farmer.
Ruby finished Ponca City Oklahoma Class of 1940. Shortly after high school, Ruby married Melvin Dougherty of Ponca City. Melvin worked for Cities Service Oil Refinery (now Citgo). During World War II, Cities Service built a new oil refinery in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and they were transferred from Ponca City to Lake Charles to help start & operate the new refinery. The Lake Charles area became their permanent home.
In 1954, Ruby had a desire to continue her education; she enrolled in the first class that McNeese State University offered in Nursing. After graduating, McNeese offered Ruby a Nursing instructor’s position which she accepted and remained there until she retired. During her tenure with McNeese, Ruby was also able to earn a Masters degree in Nursing from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
After 40 years of marriage, Ruby lost her first husband, Melvin. She remarried again to Jasper Davis from Irving, Texas, now deceased. Jasper was a Master Mason for which Ruby joined the Order of the Eastern Star and in time became a Worthy Grand Matron. Ruby was also active with the First Baptist Church in Lake Charles where she taught Sunday school classes. She was also an active member of AARP, and ran the senior games in Lake Charles for a number of years.
Ruby’s two sons, Robert and Darrell Dougherty, who were both born in Ponca City, Oklahoma, grew up in the Lake Charles area. Robert is now deceased.
Ruby is survived by a younger brother, Clarence Wilson, 96, of Joplin, Missouri, and her youngest son, Darrell and wife Marilyn Dougherty, of Pocatello, Idaho. She also has four grandchildren: Karen McBride (Alan) of Navarre, Florida; Perry Dougherty (Julianna) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; David Dougherty (Edith) of Lake Stevens, Washington, and Eric Dougherty (Vi) of San Antonio, Texas. Ruby also has eleven great grandchildren and a much loved, former daughter- in- law, Miriam Dougherty Kahl of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Funeral services will be held at Hixson Funeral Home in Lake Charles, (3001 Ryan St, Lake Charles, LA) on Friday, February 4, 2022, at 11:00am, with Dr. Alan McBride officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday, beginning at 9:00am until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens, (6325 Common St, Lake Charles, LA).
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.jehixson.com.
