Ruth Longmire Skelton

Ruth Longmire Skelton, a loving daughter, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend passed gently into the arms of her Heavenly Father in the early morning of the 21st of June 2014. Ruth was born the 19th of September 1924 in Temple, Texas to Dr. Victor Melton and Ruth Mary Longmire. She attended Temple High School and at the age of 16, attended Sweet Briar College in Virginia where she received her undergraduate degree in English and International Study. She married Willard Burch Wagner Jr. on Christmas Eve in 1946. They had four children and eight grandchildren.

Her oldest and only son, Willard (Bill) Wagner III who preceded her in death, and his wife Susan Wagner, their children Cynthia Carter Wagner, Julia Longmire Wagner, Layne and Michael Callihan and Travis Niekamp. Carter and Larry Stone ,mother and step dad to Cynthia and Julia Wagner. Her oldest daughter Alicia Longmire Wagner, who also preceded her in death, and her daughters Laurel (Laurie) Elizabeth Wagner and Leah Elaine Wagner. She is survived by her daughters Julie Wagner McNamara and Chaille Wagner Dalthorp and her husband, James and their children James Arthur Dalthorp III and William (Will) Wagner Dalthorp. Her husband Willard Wagner preceded her in death in 1979. She married Dr. James Mathison Skelton on the 25th of July 1992, a very dear family friend. Their marriage gave her 3 sons and their families whom she loved dearly, Dr Jim and Betty Skelton and their children, Carrie, Boyd and Amanda. Mark and Corrine Skelton and their children Mark, Wesley, Beverly and Todd, Grady and Amy. Charles (Chip) and Lisa Skelton and their children, Cris and Lainie. Ruth loved being an aunt to Cathy and Andy Lang and their children Jennifer, David and Bill. As well as Anne and Brad Hall and their children, Bradley and James.

Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends. She was a true Southern lady. She was a teacher, with her selflessly supportive demeanor during good and difficult times, and was a role model of grace. She was active in many organizations throughout her life, The Junior League of Houston, The River Oaks Garden Club, Sweet Briar Alumni, The Blue Bird Circle and The Late Bloomers Garden Club. Whether she was hosting at home, at the beach, or spending weekends in Bellville playing tennis, out with her lady friends, taking her daily walks, she was the happiest when she with her family and friends. She was very blessed and we will all miss her deeply.

The family wants to thank the staff of Woodway Place II where she has lived for many years. She loved them all!

Those honored to serve as casket bearers during Wednesday’s service are Dr. James Skelton, Mark Skelton, Charles Skelton, Neil Shudde, James Dalthorp Jr., James Dalthorp III, Will Dalthorp

Honorary pallbearers are Boyd Skelton, Mark Skelton Jr,, Wesley Skelton, Grady Skelton, Cris Skelton, Travis Neikamp, John Lawrence, Bill Hogan, Andy Lang, Brad Hall, Tom Anderson, David Anderson, Richard Anderson

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock this afternoon until seven o’clock this evening, Tuesday, the 24th of June, in the parlor and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The funeral service is to be conducted at two o’clock in afternoon on Wednesday, the 25th of June, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, where The Rev. Chad T. Martin, Associate Rector for Evangelism and Worship, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Bagby Parish Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Ruth’s memory may be directed to The Brookwood Community, 1752 FM 1489, Brookshire, TX, 77423.