Rubye Levette Kilpatrick

Rubye was born December 2, 1944 to the late Jessie Lee and Mary Magdalene Wilson. She was preceded in death by her Granddaughter, Melania LeVette Wasielewski; Father, Jessie Lee Wilson; Mother, Mary Magdalene Wilson; and Brother, Ernest Rogers Wilson.

Rubye Kilpatrick attended Elementary and Middle schools in Hillsborough County and was a graduate of Middleton High School. She furthered her education at the University of Puerto Rico and graduated magna cum laude earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She served as an employee of the Tarrant County school district, in Fort Worth, Texas for eight years. Finally, she worked for the Hillsborough County School District at Bay Crest Elementary, as one of the inaugural teachers at Schwarzkopf Elementary, where she worked for 32 years until retirement.

Over the years of her teaching profession, Rubye was honored as being a nominee for ‘Teacher of the Year’ for Hillsborough County. She impacted countless children’s lives, leaving a legacy of excellence and love. She was a dedicated and faithful member of Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church, in Tampa, Florida. She will be fondly remembered for her strong faith in God and commitment to family.

Those who knew and loved her will affectionately remember her illuminating smile, grace, strength and gentle personality. She leaves to cherish her memories, her devoted husband Burnis Kilpatrick, Jr., her loving daughter Mimi Wasielewski (Andrew), her loving son Burnis (Vernon) Kilpatrick III (Jennean) and God daughter Lexy Cardenas.

She also leaves to mourn her passing; her sister Lalita Watkins (Harry), Javian Kilpatrick, Jennayla Kilpatrick and Andrew Wasielewski. She was a loving and proud aunt to Anika Coney (Ernest), Kai Jenkins (Jody), Ngina Watkins, Katrya Watkins, Nyla Styles, Shelby Coney, Kylen Passmore, Kailey Jenkins, Cason Kennedy, Kyndall and Kody Jenkins, Cameron Kennedy, Cali Kennedy, Milani Boyd, close and special friends Jennelle Hopf, Tonya Mack, Dale and Gloria Eber, Jennifer Kori, and Velanda Hunter. The Haywood family, Kilpatrick family and many other family and friends, members of the church and countless students that she touched, in so many ways.