Thankfully, I was lying down when my wife read the text from Trinidad, “Auntie Ruby went home.” About one month ago we visited Ruby Esla Thompson, during our short visit to the island. We were the first to sign her 97th birthday card. During the visit we were mutually encouraged as we reflected on God’s goodness to us through decades of fellowship and ministry.
Ruby Thompson, affectionately known as Auntie Ruby, was a shining example of dedication, commitment and excellence as a Christian and an educator. She was the first recipient of a Teachers’ Scholarship given by the government of Trinidad and Tobago for studies at the University College of the West Indies, Jamaica (1951 to 1955).
As teacher, vice-principal and principal, she made an indelible mark on many lives, and generations of accomplished teachers, professors, lawyers, doctors, engineers, politicians and other outstanding professionals. She did tremendous volunteer work in schools, churches, homes, camps, community groups and other institutions world-wide, introducing and supporting the growth of Sunday Schools, Youth Departments, and other Christian youth and student ministries.
Under her leadership, the first Inter-School Christian Fellowship group was started among high schools in Trinidad. For decades she mentored students and assumed leadership at various levels in tertiary education.
In 2011, in commemoration of 56 years of service, the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students World Assembly honored her as the longest serving IFES staff-volunteer in the world! Her participation in the 2015 IFES World Assembly saw that record extended to 60 years of continuous service in national and international student ministry.
In 2012, at the 50th Anniversary Independence Awards, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago recognized her with a Gold Medal of Merit for Outstanding Contributions in the field of Education. On the occasion of her 90th birthday, I was privileged to lead a team from the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology, to confer on her the award, Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa).
In 1973, Dr Thompson served on the committee that introduced the international Keswick Bible Convention to Trinidad and Tobago. For decades her leadership was evident in many national prayer initiatives. Generations of Caribbean ministers, pastors, church workers, lay workers and missionaries cite her and the ministries she pioneered, as having directly influenced their decisions for full-time ministry and other areas of service.
In referring to the late Auntie Ruby, one can comfortably say, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants” (Psalm 116:15). The New Living Translation expresses the meaning more naturally to modern readers: “The LORD cares deeply when his loved ones die.” Indeed, God is not indifferent about how and when His faithful servants die.
We thank God for a life well-lived. Even at her passing, her biological and adopted children and grandchildren will rise-up and call her blessed (Proverbs 31:28).
