Loretta Ruth Mcbride Lambert Jackson

Loretta Ruth McBride Lambert Jackson took her final journey to be with Jesus on Monday October 16th, 2023, at the age of 88.  Ruth was born in her grandmother Norris’ front bedroom in Granite, Oklahoma to Herbert and Viola McBride.  Her older sister, Doris was also born in their grandmother’s home.

Ruth graduated from Classen High School in Oklahoma City in 1952.  She went to Abilene Christian College and got her BA degree in 1956.  In 1979, Ruth finished her MA degree in art education at ACU.  She took most of her graduate classes at Texas Tech in Junction, Texas.  She married Bob Lambert in 1955 and they had three children, Lanny, Valeri and Natali.  Bob and Ruth were divorced in 1976 and Ruth married Gerald Jackson in 1982.

Ruth was always so thankful to God for giving her a wonderful art talent.  He also gave her the ways and means to bless others with this talent and to glorify Him.

Ruth was a well-known teacher and artist in the Abilene community, having taught at ACU and Abilene Christian High School for 10 years. She worked for the Abilene Reporter News in Creative Services and drew illustrations for ads for Thornton’s Department Stores, the Bootery and many other Abilene shops in the 60’s.  She was an artist member of the Creative Art Club and The Center for Contemporary Arts and taught in the ArtReach program since its inception.

Ruth did many portraits and murals in Abilene.  She helped the children paint a mural at Hope Haven homeless shelter.  She worked with the children at Highland Church of Christ to do paintings for Christian Ministries and the Bible Times Marketplace.  Ruth painted a mural for the Rehab Center, The State School and the Christian Service Center.  She painted baptistry murals for Freedom Fellowship and Mt. Zion Baptist Church.  While teaching at the TCJ, Ruth helped the inmates paint 10 murals.  She also taught in many art camps for the Grace Museum as well as the Alliance for Women and Children.

When Ruth wasn’t painting she enjoyed Tennis.  She played twice a week until she was 75.  In 1999, when she was 65, she went with a team from Abilene to represent Texas in the Nationals in Palm Springs, California.

Preceding Ruth in death were her parents, Herbert and Viola McBride as well as her husband Gerald Jackson.  Those left to honor her and cherish her memory are her son Lanny Lambert (wife Debi) her daughters, Valeri Mayes (husband John) and Natali Dubovik (husband Willie), her stepchildren, Mark Jackson (wife Connie), Judy Cross (husband Will) and Jan David (husband David).  She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and adopted grandchildren as well as a host of extended family members and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, October 20th at 1:00 pm in the auditorium of Highland Church of Christ under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.  Terry St. Pierre will be officiating.  A time of visitation with the family will be held following the service.  Because Ruth was an artist and loved color, the family request that everyone dress as colorful as possible on Friday.

Donations may be made in honor of Ruth to Sanctuary Ministries (India) P.O. Box 2238, Abilene, Texas, 79604 or Hendrick Hospice Care at https://www.hendrickhealth.org/services/hospice-care/give-now/

Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.