Funeral services for Ruby Lee Weekly Billups will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM at New Rocky Valley Baptist Church in Grambling. She passed on August 21, 2026 in Minden, LA.
Mrs. Ruby Lee Weekly Billups, the daughter of the late Rodney Weekly and the former Susie Jones, was born on September 5, 1930 on Forrest Plantation in Concordia Parish. In 1947, she graduated Valedictorian of her high school class – Concordia Training School in Vidalia, LA and arrived in Grambling just five days after turning 17 years old. She began working in the Registrar’s Office as a student her freshman year. In May of 1951, she graduated magna cum laude from Grambling College with her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. The day after her graduation, she began permanent employment in the Registrar’s Office as Assistant Registrar. Because of her work ethic, professionalism, leadership skills and integrity, and upon Mr. William Garner’s retirement, she was named Registrar in 1964 and became one of the first female administrators at Grambling College.
While working in the Registrar’s Office, Mrs. Billups continued her education and received her Master of Arts degree in Higher Education from New York University in 1955 and completed further study at LSU in Baton Rouge. She was employed in the Registrar’s Office for 35 years serving as Assistant Registrar for 13 years and Registrar for 22 years. She also served as a part-time Assistant Professor of Education. Mrs. Billups was a dedicated employee of the University until her retirement in July 1986 and received the honor of Registrar Emeritus in 1989.
During her tenure at Grambling State University, Mrs. Billups was known as a firm, but fair professional who believed that good documentation was the key to accurate record-keeping. Her dedication to students is still remembered and echoed in the voices of Grambling alumni. In her own words, she always said, “I was just doing my job.”
Mrs. Billups accepted Christ in 1943 and united with the Young’s Chapel Baptist Church in Vidalia, LA. She joined the New Rocky Valley Baptist Church in 1957 where she served in various positions including an Usher, Deaconess, the Board of Christian Education, Vacation Bible School Registrar, Chairperson of the Nominating Committee, and Chairperson of the Pastor’s Aid Committee. In March 2025, she was honored with the dedication of the Ruby Lee Weekly Billups Blessing Store and honored as a Platinum Member this year.
Mrs. Billups holds the following memberships and distinctions: GSU Hall of Fame (1987 inductee); the Grambling Unit of Retired Teachers where she served as president for six years; the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award from the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO); the GSU Drum Major for Justice Award Recipient in 2006; the Greater Grambling Chamber of Commerce Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones Education Award in 2014; a City of Grambling Legends Walk of Fame Honoree in 2018. Mrs. Billups was a Charter Member of Alpha Theta Chapter (GSU) and Epsilon Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated as well as a Life Member. She celebrated 75 years of membership and became a Diamond Member on April 7, 2026. She has also received numerous other awards and recognitions.
Mrs. Billups is preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, the late Reverend Oliver Will Billups, whom she met at Grambling College and was also a 1951 Elementary Education graduate; her sister, Corine Weekly Harris; her brother, Percy Weekly; and stepdaughter, Geraldine Billups Richardson (Oliver).
To cherish her memory, she leaves her son, Rodney Claude Billups (Rita), daughter, Susan Billups Wiley (Robert), and bonus stepson, Oliver W. Billups, Jr. (Ruby). However, more importantly, Mrs. Billups was the proud grandmother of Bridget, Ashley, Chauncey, Chelsea (Joseph), and Kayla; and precious great-grandmother of “MoMo’s babies,” Rylin and Robert, III. She was also the proud grandmother of three step grandchildren, Barbara (Norman), Monica and Oliver, III (Chandra); seven step great grandchildren, and two step great-great grandchildren; godsons, Nathanial Carter and Hector Hagan; goddaughter, Lyn Simmons; dear cousins, nieces, and nephews. A trailblazer in her own right, Mrs. Ruby Lee Weekly Billups was a dear friend to many, neighbor, mentor, and maternal role model to others. She touched the lives of so many Gramblinites and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. However, her legacy will forever be remembered!
The family is very grateful for all the loving care provided by our caregivers who helped take care of our Mom in her home, the doctors, nurses and medical team of Minden Medical Center, Phillips Family Medicine, Reflected Grace, Elara Caring Home Health and Lincoln Council on Aging.
The Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 8:00-8:30 AM at New Rocky Valley Baptist Church. Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 8:30 – 9:55 AM at New Rocky Valley Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the
Ruby Billups Standard of Excellence Endowed Scholarship
at Grambling State University.
Checks and money orders should be made payable to
Grambling Research and Resource Foundation, Inc.
and note Ruby Billups Standard of Excellence Endowed Scholarship in the memo line.
Checks and money orders may be mailed to:
P.O. Box 546
Grambling, LA 71245
