Ruth Sandlin Hanks

Ruth was born on September 5th, 1921 in Carrollton, Alabama to Lyda Ruth Upchurch and Dr. Harvey Burton Upchurch. Ruth spent her early childhood in Birmingham, AL and Meridian, MS.

After her father’s death, she moved with her mother to Houston, TX in 1933 to start their life over at the age of 12. Ruth graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1938. She attended First United Methodist Church (Houston). She was a member of the first high school drill team in Houston, “The Black Battalion.” She loved to roller skate especially “dance” skating.

Ruth was married to Wiley Garrett Sandlin, Sr. until his death in 1977. She later married Harvey David Hanks until his passing in 1995. Dave and Ruth moved from Garden Villas (Houston) to Shadow Bay (Lake Conroe) where they enjoyed time with their family, friends, and gardening. Their beloved yorkie, Buttons, will be buried with Ruth next to Dave. They will all be together again.

As a young adult, Ruth worked for Bell Telephone Company and Baldwin Piano Company. She retired from Continental EMSCO after 26 years where she had a long and successful career. She was a member of The Bellaire Desk and Derrick Club, an organization which supported secretaries of oil companies, for many years and also served as their President.

She was a longstanding member of the Methodist Church. She attended First United Methodist Church in downtown Houston, Glenbrook Methodist Church (Houston), First United Methodist Church of Willis, and finally transferred her membership to Hope United Methodist Church (Pasadena).

Ruth had many interests! She loved to sew and made all of her business suits for work, as well as clothes for her daughters during their childhood. She was an incredible cook. She loved gardening and was always barefoot in her garden. She hated wearing shoes, as they kept her from “feeling the dirt”. She loved arts and crafts and made intricate beaded crystal angels for everyone she knew. She made all of the centerpieces for her retirement group Christmas parties until her early nineties.

She loved to have a good time and would try just about anything once! Some of her firsts in her late 80’s were riding a Harley, riding a horse, and walking barefoot on the beach at Surfside. She loved reading, working jigsaw puzzles, playing bingo and dominos. She had a quick and witty response to everything and loved telling jokes. Basically, she was on the go 100% of the time! She lived life to the fullest!

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, spouses, family, and many friends. Left to celebrate her amazing long life are her daughters Paula Parker-Krantz (Ellen) and Margaret Chun (Artie), her grandchildren Zachary Parker (Kecia) and Kristen Gosnell (Trevor), and her great-grandchildren Grayson Gosnell, Sloan Parker, Wren Parker, Dylan Gosnell, and Parker Gosnell. She loved her extended family members dearly: Mary Young (LJ), Dave’s niece; Donna Van Natter; Carol Embry (Bob) and their daughters Jennifer and family, Cheryl and family, Keri and family; and Sandy Lee and her daughter Shana and family. Her sweet friend Idora from Orchard Park continued to call her often to say hello and stay in touch.

A special thank you to her caregivers Cristina and Apolinario “Larry”, Lita, Erika, Lesette, Henry, Veneranda, and Rosela at Home Sweet Home (Alief/Houston), the hospice Nurses at Care 4 You Senior Services (Houston), and Laura at The Orchard Park at Southfork (Pearland) for their amazing love and care. She made so many wonderful friends (Idora, Miss Garcia, Carol, Irene, and Susan) at The Orchard playing bingo and painting. Sweet Idora continued to call her often to say hello and to let her know how her bingo buddies were doing.

Please join us to celebrate her life Saturday morning, September 4th at Forest Park Lawndale Chapel, Houston. Visitation will be at 10 AM, with services to follow at 11 AM.

Facebook Livestream for service: https://www.facebook.com/ForestParkLawndale/

Interment immediately following at South Park Cemetery, Pearland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice in memory of Ruth Sandlin Hanks.