Ruthie Lewis

October 25, 1923 - November 11, 2007

Facebook

Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home

3800 N. Big Spring St

Midland, Texas 79705

Saturday 11/17, 12:26 am

On Nov.11, 2007 we lost and God gained a uniquely, incredible woman, our mother and friend, Garland Ruth Beaver Lewis. Ruthie was born in Sunbury, Ohio on Oct. 25, 1923 to Nellie and Howard Beaver. She grew up on a farm with her four brothers and one sister located in the Ohio Valley. On January 13, 1944 she married a good looking guy from Texas, John Hill Lewis. He was a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corp. and was stationed in Ohio. They moved backed to his home town of Fort Stockton in Nov. of 1945. They raised three daughters and a son. For the next fifty five years they lived and flourished in Fort Stockton. They took great pride in raising their children among friends and family in a small West Texas town.Ruthie was the driving force in keeping her family active in the community. One of the many community activities was the annual Fort Stockton Water Carnival. In 2003 the Water Carnival Association dedicated the annual Water Carnival to Ruthie. In the program they stated "Ruthie you're our hero! Thanks for the many laughs, splashes, dance steps, the glitter, the paint, the stitches and the hand sewn sequins throughout the years. WE LOVE YOU!" When most people consider retirement, Ruthie began full-time employment with Wal-Mart. She spent fifteen years in Fort Stockton and completed her twenty years at the Midland store. Anyone who walked into Wal-Mart wanting to do crafts or sewing would know Miss Ruthie. She had a passion for helping other people be creative. Ruthie was a moving tornado leaving behind all kinds of seasonal designs and creative works. If it took the normal person a week to finish a project, Ruthie did it over night. She loved to celebrate each season with yard decorations that brought pleasure to all those who drove by. Her joy was hearing your honks, seeing your grins, and watching the children's faces. Amidst all her many projects, her favorite remained her family; especially her grandchildren. Above and beyond the normal grandmother obligations, "GamGam" made custom outfits, handmade dolls, and decorated all their rooms. She placed a hand-stitched memory in each grandchild's heart. GamGam was loved by her entire family including her sons-in-law. Their ending thoughts were full of love and laughter. "What a blessing this stubborn, funny, and wonderful lady has been!" "If you thought you had pulled the wool over her eyes, you better look around because you were already in trouble."Ruthie was preceded in death by her husband, her son, John Hill Lewis, and her grandson, Trey Stuckley. Ruthie is survived by three daughters, Linda Lee Stuckley and husband, Bob, Georgianna Baze, and Teresa Chamberlain and husband, Robert. Her grandchildren Chuck Stuckley, Ameri Stuckley and husband, Rodney Gurley, Leslie Chamberlain and husband Robert Henry, Janna Baze, Chad Chamberlain and wife Camille West, Dustin Baze, and Amy Chamberlain and one great grandchild Casey Trey Gurley. The family will be accepting visitors from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday Nov.17, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home located at 3800 N. Big Spring in Midland. Memorials, if so desired, may be made to Health Care Odyssey, 1330 E. 8th Street, Suite 410 Odessa, TX 79761, www.odsyhealth.com.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,

Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home

3800 N. Big Spring St

Midland, Texas 79705

Map

Saturday 11/17, 12:26 am

See Condolences

Georgiana, just a note to tell you how sorry we were to hear about your Mom. Please tell your family you are all in our thoughts and prayers. I have tried a couple of times to call but must have had the wrong number. Your mother was a delight, so much fun. She was definitely involved in some of my best childhood memories. Sending love, Hal and Carol

Ruthie, I shall forever hear your voice and the special way you called me "Joannie". I shall remember you always with a warm smile, great laugh and sincere kindness. You will be missed greatly! To Linda, Georgianna, and Teresa and families -- my thoughts are with you all Love, Jo Ann

A candle was lit by Jo Ann Thomas on

I lived in Fort Stockton for many years and my name, at the time, was Sandy McComb. Ruthie was the nicest, most friendly and caring person in the world and all of you, her family and friends, have been blessed by having known her. She was always so happy-go-lucky and even though she endured some very difficult times in her life, she was an angel here on Earth. I , just this moment, read her obituary and was so sad to hear of her passing. You all composed a beautiful tribute to her in the obituary and it depicts Ruthie perfectly. Good job! God bless all of you.

Ruthie Lewis was part of the fabric that made Ft. Stockton the great place to grow up back in the 60's. I am sorry for your loss, remember, she is in your future, not just the past. God Bless the Lewis family at this time.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Linda, Georgianna, and Teresa.....I'm so sorry to hear that your mother has passed. Moms are special, very special.....and yours was no exception. My prayers are with you all.

I am so sorry to have read of Ruthie's passing. She was truly a one-of -a-kind lady. I think of her genuine love and playfulness of life. I know she will be deeply missed. I bet she was a super grandmother!

Ruthie was such a delight. I could hardly wait fo see what decorations would be next. Wadley will never be the same. I would tell people where I lived and they would say, oh, you lived close to the house with all the wooden decorations, I would stop to tell her how pretty they looked and enjoyed hearing her say "you are my fans" Cherish her memories and please know we care and in our prayers

Ruthie was a ball of energy and sweetness. I loved going into Walmart and talking with her. I am glad I got to know her. She definitely was a gem. She will be missed.

What a wonderful lady! Ruthie's love for her family will be with you forever. Her heart was so full of love for her kids and grandkids. There was never a time when I stopped by to see her at WalMart that she didn't let me know how everyone was doing. It is a wonderful thing to be so loved and so full of love. Ruthie was a woman so full of hope, no matter the situation. Her energetic ways of caring for people and being a friend to so many will be remembered by all who knew her. May God hold you in the palm of His hand and ease the pain and sadness you feel. My prayers are with you.

Hi Baze and family, I loved going to Walmart and dropping by to say hi to your Mom! It's just one of those things I would do when I was there. She had such a warming. kind-hearted and friendly spirit! My prayers are with you and your family. Thanks for being such a wonderful caregiver to your Mom. Now it's time for each of you to take care of yourselves and each other. Sincerely, Linda Whitlow

We loved Gam Gam! She holds a special place in our hearts. She was always so full of spunk and fun. Mark and Gam Gam had fun teasing each other. Her quick wit and happiness always made us smile. She will truly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

What a blessing to have known and been loved by Ruthie! When we drive past 703 N. Kansas, we think of all the joy she brought to everyone who knew her. I'm at a loss in the crafts section of Wal-Mart without her to give me direction. We are lifting each of you up in love and prayer. And if we could be there Saturday afternoon, we'd give you big hugs and share more memories of a very special lady.

The name Ruth means compassion. Among her many beautiful traits, compassion was one of Ruthie's most natural feelings and she expressed it freely with hugs and kind, encouraging words. Her courage and perseverance were admirable. When her problems loomed before her like mountains, she never went around them, she just charged through. I'm glad to have had fifty years of observing her example. Ruthie could always look at the darkest day and find something to laugh about. Once I was visiting with her when she told me about a devastating problem. The discussion brought her to tears, but she still found the funny side. If you weren't feeling joyful when you ran into Ruthie, you'd leave the visit walking on air. Ruthie spread the joy. She was sister to most, and mama to all.

Ruthie looked so good at Cynthia's service. Little did we know that was the last time we would see her. We will miss her smile and her funny stories. She was a great mom to all of us. Anne

GamGam was always so loving and such a pleasure to be around. She made me feel just as loved as if I was one of her own grandchildren. I will always hold a special place for GamGam in my heart.

Our lives have been blessed in so many ways by knowing Ruthie and her family. The laughter and tears we have shared, the special moments we will remember have enriched our hearts. There will never be another Gam-Gam but she has left us with 3 beautiful souls in her daughters and a joyful spark in all of her grandchildren and will be told in stories and laughter to her great grandchild. Thank you for sharing Ruthie wilth us.

Industrious, spunky, funny, creative, loving and brave Ruthie. We are proud to have known such an incredible lady who brought smiles to more than she ever realized. Wadley Avenue will never be the same without her seasonal decorations, but the Pearly Gates may already have a little Ruthie-touch added to them. We will miss you Ruthie!

Ruthie was one of the funniest moms I have ever known. She was just so gracious and loving. I KNOW she never met a stranger. If only, we would all emulate this beautiful lady, what a glorious life we'd have. We'll miss her.

Thank you Ruthie for the time and energy you spent on the beautiful decorations that you shared with your community. Each time we travel Wadley, we will remember the sweet, creative, lovely lady that decorated our lives.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

We send our deepest sympathy to the Beaver family and to Ruthie’s extended family of friends. Ruthie sounds like an incredible woman who touched many lives in such a positive way. The world undoubtedly needs more “Ruthies”. God be with you all.

There are individuals that we come into contact with during our lives that make an everlasting impression on us and capture our hearts forever; Ruthie was one of those people! She will be greatly missed, but her charm and personality will always be with us. Our love and prayers go to you all........

There will never be another "Ruthie." She was a go-getter; so full of life and energy. We always enjoyed "GamGam" and her stories. Seeing her with her family always made us glad that we could be apart of it. We will miss you Ruthie.

What an incredible impact this sweet lady had on us all. Cross had a friend over last night and we were talking about her. When his friend asked who we were talking about, Cross said "Gam-Gam. She's my Midland grandma." For 13 years, Gam-Gam has been a part of our lives, but she took with her a piece of our hearts. Our prayers are with you. The Moody family

We loved Ruthie. God bless you, to all of her family.

We will certainly miss Ruthie with her energy and love for others. Her seasonal decorations made the front page of the paper and her homemade fudge will also be missed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you all. Natalie and Tom

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.