Mary Ruth Rucker

Mary Ruth Rucker, 97, passed away March 9, 2017 in Templeton, CA. She was born on June 1, 1919 in Roscoe, Texas to Roy Edward Longbotham, Sr and Maudie Hawkins Longbotham. Mary grew up in Cross Plains, Texas. She met and married Joe Herman Rucker, Jr in Abilene, Texas. They married August 22, 1940. They lived in Texas until they moved to California in February 1959. They made their home in Fresno where they raised their 3 daughters.

Mary became active in the PTA at Carroll H. Baird Elementary school, when her girls were attending. She served as PTA president and other various positions. It lead to the opportunity to start a library for the school. The library was started in the early 1960s with donated books. The library grew from a wall in the multi-purpose room to a fully developed library. She was able to continue as the librarian when it became a paid position until she retired.

Mary was an active member at Trinity Southern Baptist church in Fresno from April 1965 until she moved to Paso Robles, CA in 2009. Her love of books and learning was the motivation for starting and building a library at the church. Although unable to continue in an active role, she remains a member of Trinity.

Mary and her husband enjoyed camping and traveling, but mostly spending time with family. She was passionate about pictures and completed a lot of family genealogy history through collection of pictures. She raised 12 baby tortoises from incubation – which gave her great joy and many stories.

Mary moved to Paso Robles in March 2009 to be near her youngest daughter, Glynda, and family when her health began to fail.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Mona Maurice Longbotham, and her husband of 53 years, Joe Herman Rucker, Jr. She is survived by her children, Gayl Rabon of Pittsburgh, CA, Gwynn Rucker of Seattle, WA, Glynda Rathwick and husband Glen of Paso Robles, CA, and foster daughter, Kathy Gilmore of Fresno, and her brother, Roy Longbotham of Visalia, CA. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren Bryttny (Erik) Smith of Chowchilla, CA, Heather (Isaac) Wilson of Hawaii, Jared Rathwick of Washington, Wesley Rathwick of North Carolina, Randy Taber of Fresno and Ricky (Kim) Taber of Fresno, as well as 5 great grandchildren, in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home, Paso Robles, CA.