Ruby Laverne (Thomas) Bakalekos

MRS. RUBY LAVERNE (THOMAS) BAKALEKOS, 93, of North Little Rock, went to be with the Lord on August 25, 2018. Born to Robert and Josephine Thomas on November 20, 1924, Laverne was the middle of three sisters and grew up in Forest City, Arkansas. When she was twenty, a young, handsome army man spotted her working at the diner and told his friend, "I'm going to marry that girl!" He'd smile and say, "It was her red hair." Laverne married John Bakalekos and they spent sixty-four years together before he passed away in 2010. John and Laverne had five children and made their home in North Little Rock. In addition to raising five children, Laverne worked at Timex as a quality control inspector. She learned to sew and loved making clothes for her family and the public, including cheerleading uniforms for high schools. She and John were faithful church-goers and were very involved in their community, particularly through the sport of baseball. Behind "Love the Lord your God," "Woo Pig Sooie" was almost sacred. John and Laverne loved to go dancing and stayed active into their late seventies as celebrated ballroom dancers. Laverne was full of life and laughter and loved being with her family more than anything. She loved to follow a family dinner with one of the meringue pies she had mastered and even joined in the yearly wrapping paper fights that littered her living room every Christmas Eve. She lived well in advanced age and was eager to see Heaven. Her loved ones are comforted by her life's example and her strong faith. Laverne is survived by her sister, Louise McKee and her children, John, Robert, and Chris Bakalekos, Gail Williams, and Darla Hichborn. She leaves a legacy of nine grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and one on the way, and one great-great grandchild. The family would like to give special thanks to her loving caregiver, Yolanda Davis, whose help enabled Laverne to remain in the same house where she raised her family. Laverne is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Robby Jean Easter, and her husband John Bakalekos. Visitation will be held at 11:00 A.M. followed by a funeral service at 12:00 P.M. on Wednesday, August 29, 2018, at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock, Arkansas. Laverne will be laid to rest privately next to John in the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Park Hill Baptist Church. Online guestbook at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.