Bennie Ruth Huckaby Toles departed this life on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Baton Rouge General Medical Center. She was born on April 11, 1935, in Shreveport, the first of eight children born to the union of Hilry Huckaby Jr. and Nancy Mae Davis Huckaby. Affectionately known as 'Bennie Ruth,' she was baptized as a Christian at West Chapel Baptist Church in Shreveport but converted to Catholicism before marrying her husband, Norman Joseph Toles, to whom she was married for 45 years. From their union were born two children, Andrea Florice Toles and Eric dePorres Toles. Bennie Ruth received her early education in Caddo Parish and was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Shreveport. She received a bachelor of science degree in general business from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge in 1958. After 30 years of loyal dedication, she retired as the director of duplicating services at Southern University. To quench her yearning to educate youth with special needs, she taught special education in the East Baton Rouge Parish school system for approximately 10 years before retiring to care for her ill husband. Known for her many talents, Bennie Ruth was a gifted seamstress, hostess, events coordinator and comical storyteller. With unselfish devotion and distinguished service, Bennie Ruth held memberships and positions in the following organizations: national treasurer, national editor, South Central region secretary-treasurer and chapter president for Jack and Jill of America Inc.; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (Gamma Eta Omega Chapter); Linkqueons Women's Civic and Social Club; and Ladies Sodality of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. To celebrate her life and to cherish her memory, Bennie Ruth is survived by a loving and devoted husband, Norman Joseph Toles; two children, Andrea Florice and Eric dePorres Toles; a sister, Bertha Huckaby Shiloh and husband Herman M. Shiloh Jr., of New Orleans; two brothers, Howard Huckaby Sr. and wife Jackqulynn English Huckaby, of Shreveport, and Billy Huckaby, of Orange, N.J.; eight nieces, 10 nephews, godchildren, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law; a loyal dog, Alphie; and a host of devoted friends and colleagues. Preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Hilry Faye Huckaby Ludley and Shirley Ann Huckaby Roberts; two brothers, attorney Hilry Huckaby III and a stillborn brother; nephew, Jason Huckaby Roberts; sister-in-law, Thelma Hollins Toles; and four brothers-in-law, Alton Toles, Henry Toles Jr., Norward Toles and Thomas Ludley. Her family wishes to offer special thanks to the staff of Our Lady of the Lake Intensive Care and Rehabilitation units, SAGE Rehabilitation Center and Vital Source Specialty Care Hospital. Visitation at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1565 Curtis St., on Friday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. until funeral Mass at noon. The rosary will be recited at 11 a.m. Memorial ceremonies will be led by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. at 9 a.m. and by Jack and Jill of America Inc. at 10 a.m. Interment in Port Hudson National Cemetery. Repast at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Hall at 3 p.m. Arrangements by Winnfield Funeral Home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bennie Huckaby Toles, please visit our floral store.