- Date Of Birth: November 1, 1919
- Date Of Death: October 29, 2016
- State: Texas
“Your hands made me and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.” –Psalm 119:73
A person’s hands are both simple yet complex. Hands can be used in building and creating things from the simplest of childhood finger-painting’s to Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Hands can instruct and teach people of all ages. They can be put to work, and from the movement of these hands, riches can spring forth. Hands can touch the skin, yet also touch the heart. Ruby Almanza’s hands were skilled, poised and lucky; they were ready to accomplish anything that came to Mrs. Ruby’s mind or heart. Like her Maker’s hands, Ruby Almanza fashioned great and wonderful gifts and pieces, meant to give beauty to the world and the lives of others.
During a fall day in Coryell, Texas, on November 1, 1919, little Ruby came into this world to her delighted parents, Leopoldo and Aurora Rodriguez. Like it is written in Proverbs 31:10, little Ruby was “far more precious than jewels” in her family’s eye. Eventually Ruby’s family moved to Waco, Texas where she would spend most of her life. Waco became her home, and even in her last years, she claimed her love of Waco. Ruby Rodriguez grew up into a sweet and charming young lady who came to fall in love with Manuel Almanza, and he equally fell in love with her. They became husband and wife within their Catholic Church. Ruby Almanza became a mother herself to six children: four beautiful daughters and two handsome sons. Ruby became a wonderful stay-at-home mom who took diligent care of her children and gave them a loving atmosphere to thrive and grow.
Aside from being a housewife, Ruby Almanza was a strong entrepreneur. She used her capable hands to create a plethora of wonderful items, and then would turn around to sell them for extra spending money. Mrs. Almanza sewed cute Raggedy Anne dolls and intricate little doll clothes for little girls around her town. Along with sewing, Ruby Almanza crocheted beautiful dollies and afghans for homes all around her neighborhood. Her hands were skilled, and she profited greatly because of her talents. Ruby didn’t stop at just handmade items though; she even put on successful garage sales that lined her pocket with more spending money. She would always say that she was “blessed by God” during a profitable sale; she would always stay modest about her own wonderful sales techniques. There were times when Ruby Almanza would try her luck in Las Vegas with the slot machines, and after a few profitable winnings, she came to have her own strategies. Frequently, Ruby would tell her husband, “Daddy, give me $20 for the slots.” After receiving the money, she would try her lucky hands at the slots, only to make more money. However, instead of using her winnings to increase her wallet size, she would walk over to Manuel again and say, “Daddy, I need another $20 for the slots.” She was an entrepreneur at heart who knew how to make something out of nothing.
Ruby Almanza always considered her husband, children, and grandchildren as gifts from God. She always remembered to give God the glory and to honor Him with her all. She was a devoted member of St. Francis on the Brazos Church in Waco, Texas where she took her children to Sunday Masses. When she moved up to the Dallas area, one of the first things she did was find a new church to worship Jesus Christ. She chose La Virgin de Guadalupe in West Dallas where she became blessed with new friends and acquaintances. Even to the end of her days, Mrs. Ruby Almanza worshiped her Lord with all her heart. She longed to go home, not to Waco, but to her Heavenly home of rest, peace, and love. On October 29, 2016 in the very early hours of the morning, Mrs. Ruby Almanza came to be in the presence of her Lord, just three days before her 97th birthday. The hands that worked, labored, and crafted many wonderful things for the glory of her King, finally came in the rest of the Hands that were pierced and that bleed for her salvation.
Mrs. Ruby Almanza’s life and legacy is carried on through her children, Jeneva Guterrez, Janie Sanchez and her husband, Jessie, Mary Ann Rojtik and her husband, James, Richard Almanza, and Gloria Gonzales and her husband, Arcdio; her brothers, Rodulf Rodriguez and Jessie Rodriguez; and her numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Ruby Almanza is joined in heaven with her loving husband, Manuel Almanza; her son, Robert Almanza; her parents, Leopoldo and Aurora Rodriguez; and her brothers, Robert Rodriguez and Joe Rodriguez.
Tuesday, November 1st, 2016, 5:00pm – 8:00pm, Hughes Family Tribute Center
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016, 12:30pm, Oakwood Cemetery
Oakwood Cemetery
