Ruby Linda (Martinez) Carrasco

Ruby Linda Carrasco was born on September 18, 1957, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the late Luis Rivera and Juanita Garza. Ruby accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord of her life at an early age while attending Gesu Parish. She attended public school in Milwaukee County and graduated from West Division High School in 1976. She moved to Dallas, Texas in 1980 where she bravely created her life and legacy.

Ruby was a woman of integrity, kindness, and love. When she walked into a room, she brought her own sunshine. Ruby was one of a kind, often feeling like she was from nowhere, but fitting in everywhere. She shared her love of Christ with everyone she encountered, ministered to them, and loved them without judgment. Ruby had a big, beautiful personality and people were drawn to her caring energy.

Her mission in life was to share God’s love and grow His kingdom while also helping those in need. She mentored many through life’s various stages, often being the safe space for several Milwaukee family members to try to make a new life for themselves in Dallas. Ruby proved to be a real gem in the establishment and re-establishment of the lives of many friends and family members.

In 1996 she was instrumental in laying the foundation for the development of Youth Believing in Change (YBC). During that time, she and her children Lucio and Leticia joined Concord Missionary Baptist Church where she was actively involved and where Lucio and Leticia were baptized.

Ruby served as Executive Administrator at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church for 16 faithful years, treating the church and its congregants with all the love and respect God entrusted her to do. If ever you needed words of inspiration, you could count on Ruby to cheer you up. She loved hard and with much passion and humor.

Being a grandmother was one of the greatest joys and privileges of Ruby’s life. She loved her grandchildren with her whole heart and soul. She would share God’s love with them through scripture and song. And took every opportunity to spend time with them to create lasting memories and share in their youthfulness and excitement for life.

Ruby knew her worth and as she so often stated, “I don’t know what this world is going to do without me.” The world is not the same without you, Ruby; but we’ll do our best to hold your memory close and honor you in every good and kind thing we do. We love you, always and forever!

Ruby is survived by her children Luis Carrasco Jr., Lucio Bustamante, and Leticia Bustamante. Children at heart Rebecca Martinez, Bryan Martinez, Crissandra Lee, Winifred Aghghovbia, and Hanna Barajas. Mother Janie Sanabria. Siblings Elvira Rivas, Santiago Sanabria Jr., Robert Sanabria, and Ruben Sanabria. Siblings at heart Esther Peña, Adela Tejeda, Diana Arizola, and Michael Porter. Her grandchildren Noah Carrasco, Holland Carrasco, Tyler Hoskins, Aubrey Quesada, and Julian Barajas. Countless nieces and nephews Destiny Miller, Ricky Miller Jr. (Clarissa and Isaac), Joseph Rivas Jr., Ramiro Rivas (Neveah, Jayla, and Carmelo), Isaiah Sanabria, Eve Velasquez, Rosalinda Peña, Jesse Peña, Rene Peña, Alejandro Peña, Rolando Peña, Esmeralda Fisher (Layla), Rosaura Torres (Penelope and Olivia), Aaron Tejeda (Santino), Abram Tejeda, Alejandro Tejeda, Juan Villarreal (Samuel), Stephanie Villarreal (Javon, Sariyah, and Mila), Emily Martinez, Jovanna Canales (Jaxon, Jeremiah, and Jose IV), Xavier Romo (Araceli, Esmeralda, and Lorenzo), Bryan Martinez Jr., Ezekiel Martinez (Alaina), Danny Sewell (Logan and Nolan), Mateo Martinez, Michael Porter II, Jessica Peña (Yazmean and Egypt), Justina Peña (Ezekiel, Joziah, Kingstyn, and Athina), Candido Peña, as well as numerous other beloved family and friends.

On August 1, 2023, Ruby joyously and peacefully reunited with her grandmother Rosa Garza, grandfather Jose Garza, father Jose Rivera, father at heart Santiago Sanabria Sr., daughter at heart Yuridia Carrasco, sister Imogene Ramos, brother at heart Leonardo Martinez, aunts Antonia Morin and Aurora Zuniga, uncle Rodolfo Garza, niece Vanessa Rivas, nephew Christopher Miller, cousins Rachel Cardenas Stuart, Rebecca Cardenas, Roberto Cardenas, and Joe Cardenas.

Ruby’s Dallas memorial service will be officiated by Pastor Vincent E. Gaddis at Youth Believing in Change (YBC), 8574 Stults Road, Dallas, TX 75243, on August 20, 2023, at 3:00 PM.

Ruby's Milwaukee memorial service will be held at Peace of Mind Funeral Home, 5325 West Greenfield Avenue, West Milwaukee, WI 53214, on September 9, 2023, at 12:00 PM. 

All who wish to send floral expressions for the Milwaukee service are welcome to call Flowers by Jan at 414-647-1110.