In Loving Memory of Ruby Lee Peterson

In Loving Memory of Ruby Lee Peterson

With heavy hearts and profound sorrow, we remember and honor the life of Ruby Lee Peterson, a beloved 73-year-old woman whose life was tragically taken in Bastrop, Louisiana. On the evening of Tuesday, January 27, 2026, deputies with the Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call at the Eden Apartment Complex on Kammell Street, where they discovered Ruby Lee Peterson deceased inside her home. What should have been a place of safety and peace became the site of a heartbreaking loss that has deeply shaken her family, friends, and the entire community.

Ruby Lee Peterson was more than a victim of a tragic crime—she was a mother, a grandmother, a friend, a neighbor, and a cherished member of her community. Her life was marked by kindness, resilience, and quiet strength. Those who knew her speak of her gentle spirit, her warm smile, and the way she made others feel seen and cared for. She had a heart that welcomed people in, a voice that offered comfort, and a presence that brought calm to those around her.

Throughout her life, Ruby embodied compassion and grace. She was the type of person who would check on neighbors, share stories and laughter, and extend a helping hand whenever she could. Her home was a place of warmth, her words were filled with wisdom, and her laughter carried joy that could brighten even the darkest days. She had lived through many seasons of life, carrying with her memories, lessons, and love that she freely shared with others.

The loss of Ruby Lee Peterson is not just a personal tragedy for her loved ones—it is a wound felt by an entire community. Violence stole her life far too soon, leaving behind unanswered questions, broken hearts, and a void that can never truly be filled. The Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 17-year-old Amir Dowles in connection with her death, charging him with second-degree murder. While justice is being pursued, it can never restore the life that was taken, nor fully ease the pain felt by those who loved her.

In remembering Ruby, we choose to focus not on the manner of her passing, but on the beauty of her life. We remember her kindness, her generosity, her quiet strength, and the love she gave so freely. We remember the moments shared, the stories told, and the legacy she leaves behind in the hearts of those who knew her.

May Ruby Lee Peterson’s memory be a blessing and a reminder of the preciousness of life. May her family and friends find comfort in the love she shared and the impact she made. And may her soul rest in eternal peace, wrapped in the light and love she brought into this world.

Rest in peace, Ruby Lee Peterson. You will never be forgotten.