Rubbie Joe Sterling was born to the parentage of Tom Hughes, Jr. and Odessa Hughes in Waco, TX where she grew up and attended public school. She professed her hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized at Zion Baptist Church (later Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church). She remained a faithful member for her entire life.
Service Information: Funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM at Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday, October 23, 2021. Burial will follow in Rosemound Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Friday, October 22, 2021 at Lake Shore Funeral Home.
Sister Sterling served several ministries in the church and was truly a servant-leader. She labored as the Sunday School Superintendent, Youth Department Advisor, Scholarship Committee Co-Chair, and the unshakeable sponsor of the Junior Ushers for decades. She also served as a deaconess, a member of the senior choir, a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Bereavement and Homecoming committees, a member of the Senior Mission, and food pantry volunteer.
Rubbie was also a proud alumna of Carver High School and served on both the Class of 1970 Reunion Committee and the All-School Reunion Committee. She cherished her position as a retiree of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, having served as a nurse there for 26 years.
In 1971, she married the love of her life, Michael Sterling. To this union, two children were born, Michael Jr. and Maya.
Preceding Rubbie in death are her parents and brother, Randolph.
On October 18th, God decided that her race was done, and she joined God in heaven. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 50 years, Michael; son, Michael Sterling, Jr. (Kenyatta) of Rockwall; daughter, Maya Cooper (Ishmael) of Pearland; brothers, Alvin Hughes (Deborah) of Antelope, CA and Emmett Hughes (Rose) of Waco; sister, Linda Hobbs (Winston) of Waco; mother-in-law, Erma Sterling of Waco; sisters-in-law, Reta Barnum of Killeen and Jan Robinson (Abraham) of Coppell; granddaughter, Kennedy Cooper; grandson, Caleb Sterling; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
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Michael and family. We are praying for you at this time of bereavement. Rubbie had a beautiful smile and personality that will be missed and her joyful laughter will resonate in our hearts always. What a blessing you two received to surpass your 50th anniversary. Keep all of the things about her that make you smile close to your heart.
Continuing to ask the Lord to keep you all uplifted.
Mary Williams McLennan and Robert McLennan
Neighbor, you and family are in our prayers and our hearts are saddened by the loss of Rubbie. We want you to remember that we are just a few steps away.
Your Neighbors
Dwayne & Joyce Childers
My Condolences and prayers to the family of such a beautiful Woman of God. In the short time I have known her. She was a very loving person
Michael: I am praying for Rubbie and am saddened to hear of her sudden departure. Rubbie was a tremendous joy to know and see as she was always so bubbly and happy and positive (and holy). I am praying that you too are weathering this storm and will be OK.
Your Friend, Gary Barbin MD
Praying with you family. We Love you guys.
Dear family,
My prayers and thoughts are with you all. May God comfort and give you peace at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Brenda Anderson & family
My sincere prayers and condolences to my second family, the Hughes/Sterling families. I will always have fond memories of Rubbie and my next door neighbors/family for over 60 years. LOVE ALWAYS !!!
Robert Holbert and Family
Our prayers go up to Rubbie’s family. She was a genuine servant leader.
To the Family. As a classmate of Rubbie’s , she was very resilient and pushes( smile) at times , she really worked hard with us to be as uniformed as we could be. She loved her classmates ,so I know that she loved family ten times over. She’s with the Master now .May God Bless and Keep you!
Richard Washington ,Class of1970 and wife Sara
Our condolences are extended to the Sterling & Hughes Family, Sis. Sterling was a dedicated worker in the body of Christ at Greater Zion MBC. She will truly be missed. In these four years that we’ve been at GZMBC it has been a blessing to see Rubbie go the extra mile to give of her service. She was a servant leader in God’s Kingdom who served with excellence!
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during your time of bereavement.
Humbly and Respectfully,
Rev. & Sis. CJ Oliver & Family
Our deepest condolences ..our thoughts and prayers are with the family always
Michael, my heart felt sympathies are with you and your
family. Your wife was a very lovely person. I am so sorry for your loss.
Cheryl & Mike Turner