Ruth Mckay Owens

NASHVILLE, TN. - Bennie Ruth McKay Owens
passed away on February 27, 2019 in Nashville, TN.
A Memorial Service will be held at Edward’s Funeral
home at 215 E. Housley, Strawn, Texas. The service
is Saturday, June 8th at 2:00 PM. Burial will be in
New City Cemetery in Gordon, TX. Officiating are
Pastors H. Sharon Howell, J. Scott McKay and Kristi
L. McKay.
Ruth McKay was born 10-12-1922 near Arp, Texas.
She was the 7th child of Wherry and Honor McKay,
but was 10 years younger than her brother, Byrd,
and 10 years older than her brother, Speed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James L. Owens
and all her sisters and brothers: Byrd, JoeBob, Margaret, Maurine, Bill, Beth,
Dorothy, John, and Speed.
She is survived by her two daughters Kathryn Lea Weaver of Nashville, TN
and Claire Lewise Priester and son in law Wyman J. Priester III of Newark,
Delaware; her grandchildren, Steven L. Weaver and wife Diane M. Weaver,
Benjamin D. Weaver of Sycamore, Illinois, Jessica R. Priester of Tucson,
Arizona, Sarah L. Curtin and husband Eric M. Curtin, and John H. Priester
of Newark, Delaware. She was also very close and dearly loved by her seven
beloved great-grandchildren and eleven cherished nieces and nephews.
Ruth attended John Tarleton Agriculture College in Stephensville, Texas, her
first year. She lived with an aunt and uncle and shared a room with a favorite
cousin, Janalynn Davis. All four of Janalynn’s children are in attendance at
the funeral (Kathryn and Claire’s second cousins). One of her husband’s
nephews, Don and his wife Alice Fulbright are also in attendance. After two
years of college she received a temporary teaching license at age 18. She taught
in a one room, one teacher school at Willow Creek in Mason County, TX.
Ruth enjoyed riding a cow pony to teach at school. After teaching two years
in Mason County, she attended North Texas State Teachers College where
she received her B.A. in Education. She was initiated into Kappa Delta Pi,
an international honor society in education, and Alpha Chi, an honorary
teacher’s society.
Ruth married James L. Owens, a marine who fought in WWII, on 12-22-
1946. After she had her two daughters, she became a stay-at-home mom.
After her younger daughter started school Ruth returned to full time teaching
in Abilene at Madison Jr. High. She took summer classes and received her
Master’s Degree from McMurry University.
After moving to Midland, Texas, in 1964, she taught at Robert E. Lee
High for two years, then became the English Department Chairman at Lee
Freshman School. She was named outstanding teacher for the school year of
1983-1984. Ruth had taught 31 years, 25 of which were in Midland, Texas.
After she retired at 62, she worked with Meals On Wheels and helped
children needing extra tutoring in reading at St. Paul’s United Methodist
Church in Midland, Texas. She enjoyed writing letters to her brothers and
sisters as well as reading the Bible and other books. She took joy in seeing
the changing fall leaves in the Blue Ridge Mountains, one of her many trips.
In addition, she taught quarterly in The Fellowship Class at St. Paul’s United
Methodist Church. Ruth enjoyed eating out with her friends. She also loved
visiting with her great-grandchildren. She enjoyed her time as a member of
Delta Kappa Gamma in Midland.
She loved the Lord and is now healthy, happy, and in her heavenly home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be to The Alzheimer’s Association, The
Tennessee Chapter, 478 Craighead St., Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37204. Please
memo “In honor of Ruth Owens”. Or Houston Parkinson’s Society. To donate by mail, 2700 Southwest Freeway, Suite 296, Houston, TX 37098. May
donate by phone using credit card (713-313-1621).