The Claiborne's
This will be the Claiborne's Family page. Emma will help me keep it
going.
Ruby Alyne
Claiborne. This link will be temporary as it is linked to Lowell-Tims
Funeral Home and it will probably go away in 3 months--July 2011
Bill and Carlotta Claiborne
Ruby Alyne Claiborne
On July 1, 1920, in Windom, Texas, Eddie and Hattie (Killough) Stephens
welcomed the birth of their second child, a daughter, they named Ruby
Alyne. On March 26, 2011, at the age of 90 years, 8 months, and 26 days,
Ruby died at Jackson County Memorial Hospital in Altus, Oklahoma, and
made her journey to heaven to meet family members and friends who have
gone before her.
Known as Sis to her parents and siblings and Alyne to others, she grew up in
the Odell, Texas, area and later on a farm near the Elmer and Hess
communities in Oklahoma. She attended Elmer High School and was a star
player on the Elmer High School girls’ basketball team.
On September 10, 1938, Alyne was married to a young farmer from
Humphreys, Oklahoma, named James Frank Claiborne II at the Methodist
Church in Elmer. After their marriage, they established their home in the
Humphreys community and later in Altus, Oklahoma. To this union, four
children, two sons and two daughters were born. As a farmer’s wife, a
homemaker, and stay-at-home mom, she nurtured her family with love and
guided them through their formative years with strong Christian values.
After her children grew up, Alyne became a Certified Nurse’s Aide and was
employed by the Jackson County Memorial Hospital in Altus from 1972
through 1982. As an excellent care giver, she was primarily assigned to the
birthing center where she assisted in the births of many new babies.
However, her career as a CNA was cut short due to a serious illness of her
husband, Frank, who died in 1988.
Alyne was a faithful Christian lady and was a long time member of the First
Baptist Church in Altus. Additionally, she was a member of the Order of the
Eastern Star and in her later years, a member of the Hess Community
Quilters Guild. With the celebration of her 90th birthday, Altus Mayor, T.L.
Grambling declared by proclamation that July 1, 2010, to be the Ruby Alyne
Claiborne Day.
Mrs. Claiborne was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Claiborne of
the home; a son Billy Edward Claiborne of Denton, Texas; a grandson,
Michael Claiborne of Allen, Texas; her parents, Eddie and Hattie Stephens of
Elmer, Oklahoma; her older brother, Ross Stephens of Edmond, Oklahoma;
and younger sisters Christine Heaton of San Diego, California; and Mary Jo
Lucas of Altus. She is survived by: son, James Frank Claiborne III and wife
Anita of Altus; daughter-in-law Carlotta Claiborne of Denton, Texas;
daughters, Linda McKnight and husband John of Miami, Florida, and Carol
Steen and husband Rick of Altus; a younger sister, Jimmie Ruth Dirks and
husband John of Derby, Kansas; and a younger brother Alva Ray Stephens
and wife Linda of Denton, Texas. Surviving grandchildren are: Lisa
Claiborne, wife of Michael of Allen, Texas; Russell Claiborne and wife
Tracey of Worcester, Massachusetts; David Claiborne and wife Erin of
Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Suzanne La Forte and husband Russell of Galveston,
Texas; Stephen Claiborne of Denton Texas; Karen Kaiser and husband Berry
of Fort Worth, Texas; Tobin McKnight and wife Erin of Gainesville, Florida;
Sean McKnight of Santa Barbara, California; Melissa Thacker and husband
Kelly of Lawton, Oklahoma; Meagan Steen of Altus; twelve great-
grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. It has been said
that if a person sat down as a stranger next to Alyne, they left as a friend.
Final services will be conducted by Dr. Jeff Moore at
11:00 AM on Wednesday, March 30th in the Lowell-Tims Chapel with
interment at the Altus City Cemetery