Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

December 12, 2017

Ruby Cieutat Bickett entered a well-deserved eternal rest early in the morning on December 12, 2017 surrounded by her sons.

When asked recently what she wanted on her tombstone, Ruby humbly replied “She did her best.” And what a best it was!

After 91 years as a devoted daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, wife, daughter-in-law, mother, homemaker, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, community activist, two-time cancer survivor and child of God, Ruby leaves a legacy of being the best anyone could hope to be.

Born Rita Ruby Violet Theresa Cieutat on July 12, 1926 in LaPlace, LA, she met and married a handsome young Army Air Corp soldier from Derita, NC at the end of WWII, moved to North Carolina to begin her five-son contribution to the baby boom and introduced Charlotte to cayenne pepper.

Becoming empty nesters in the early 80’s and giving up hopes of ever having a daughter, Ruby and George moved from Derita to their weekend cabin turned retirement home on Lake Wylie to enjoy planting azaleas and tomatoes, watching hummingbirds, spoiling grandkids and traveling – especially back to Louisiana to stay connected with family.

Failing health in recent years precipitated a move to Wellmore Assisted Living in Tega Cay where Ruby quickly made many new life-long friends who provided fellowship, camaraderie and perhaps a tad of gossip over forbidden after dinner ice cream.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband George Leslie Bickett, Jr.; son, Donald Charles Bickett; parents, Horace and Marie Cieutat; and siblings, Hazel Blazzard, Margaret Thompson and Horace Cieutat, Jr.

She is survived by sons, James Leslie Bickett and his wife, Ellen, Kenneth Michael Bickett and his wife, Jeannie, Garry Richard Bickett and his wife, Kathy and William Glenn Bickett and his wife, Henri, all of Charlotte; grandchildren, Bryan Bickett and his wife, Alicia, Jennifer Bickett, Emma Lubanski and her husband, Bobby, Jonathan Bickett and his wife, Allison, Justin Bickett and Kendall Bickett; and great grandchildren Benjamin Bickett, Owen Bickett and Clara Bickett.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11:30 AM. on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017 at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Fort Mill, SC with Father John Giuliani officiating. The family will receive friends afterwards in the gathering hall at the church. Interment will be private.

The family suggests donations to the St. Philip Neri Building & Debt Reduction Fund, 292 Munn Road East, fort Mill, SC 29715 or a charity of their choice in lieu of flowers.

The family also extends thanks to the Wellmore community of staff and residents who provided care, friendship and companionship to Ruby in her final years and dignity, comfort and compassion in her final hours.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.