Billye Ruth Bigbee-White
Billye Ruth Bigbee-White died on Tuesday, June 17, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area after receiving brief hospice care.
She was born in Cottle County, Texas, to Ernest and Essie (Finch) Bigbee on January 21, 1941. She attended and graduated from Paducah High School. As a Paducah Dragon, she played basketball, was an honor student, and got in trouble just one time as a graduating senior for driving off campus for lunch. Knowing the Dragon Code, she refused to turn over any of her conspiratorial accomplices.
She held both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Midwestern State University. She was married to Wade Bernarr Smith for 23 years, and they had four children. Later in life, she married her high school boyfriend, Henery “Hank” White. Though the two dated for a couple of years in high school, time obviously fuzzied Hank’s memory for the two began courting for a second time some years after the passing of his beloved wife of 39 years, Pat. (The succeeding twenty years of marriage helped refresh Hank’s earlier memories). Joking aside, Billye Ruth never truly recovered from Hank’s death in April of 2020.
Once Billye Ruth’s four children all became the problem of the Wichita Falls Independent School District, she left her job teaching night school for WFISD’s Adult Education program and became executive assistant to Rep. Charles Finnell in 1978. After serving four years with Rep. Finnell, she struck out on a new path at Midwestern State University, where she became the Director of Continuing Education. There she partnered the University with manufacturers, professional associations and the public’s creative longings. She was placed on the Executive Board of the National Association of Continuing Higher Education (ACHE). She was a forceful advocate for the organization Business and Professional Women, and she also served many years on the MHMR board.
She was a formidable force of nature who occasionally heard the word “No” but never really figured out what it meant. For brainstorming, she was your ace. For a home-cooked meal, well, takeout was the smart play. Upon retirement, Billye Ruth and Hank moved back to her farm in their beloved Cottle County. Upon returning home, Billye Ruth assisted in organizing Bureau of the Census efforts and was a member of First Christian Church.
She enjoyed singing a badly tuned rendition of “Happy Birthday” to people to ensure they experienced that little extra something on their otherwise special day. She assisted a number of people going through cancer, aging alone or experiencing difficulties in life by, but not limited to, providing transportation to various appointments, washing numerous loads of laundry, delivering meals, running errands and picking up prescriptions.
Billye Ruth is survived by one sister, Norma Mouton age 97 of Santa Clara, California; sons Wade Bradley (Judy) Smith of Breckenridge, Texas; Erick Bernarr (Christie) Smith of Arlington, Texas; Lawrence Colby (Suzy) Smith of Danville, Kentucky; and daughter Dena Ruth (Michael) Martin of Flower Mound, Texas. She had eight grandchildren: Wade Benjamin (Rebecca) Smith of Houston, Texas; Kristen Leigh Smith of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Joshua Bradley Smith of Austin, Texas; Jessica Ann Smith of Blue Springs, Missouri; Erick Chance Smith of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Abigail Ruth (Clay) Elmore of Richland Hills, Texas; McKenzie Sue Martin of Hurst, Texas; Robert Wade Martin of Denver, Colorado. She had three great-grandchildren: Wade Brenham and Hayleigh Catherine Smith and Matilda Ruth Elmore. Patsy Lynn Tomlinson, who may or may not have been a lunch skip conspiratorial accomplice, was Billye Ruth’s longest, dearest beloved friend. If a person has even one loving friend like Patsy Lynn, then they have known a true blessing.
Billye Ruth chose to donate her body to the UT Southwestern Willed Body Program, but there will be a celebration of Life July 19, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at First Christian Church, 1901 Zula St., Paducah, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Wichita Falls Area Food Bank at www.wfafb.org/get-help or 940-766-2322; or to Loaves and Fish Box 876 Paducah, TX 79248, which is a delivered meals program.
Condolences can be left at melton-kitchens.com.
