Cathleen Rebecca Ruff

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Cathleen Rebecca Ruff, who left us on July 17, 2024 after a beautifully lived life. She was born on March 13, 1948 to Woodrow and Allene Howard in Plainview, Texas. Cathleen (aka Cathy) was the youngest child of four and was raised a farmer’s daughter and like most farmer’s daughters, she had solid family values and a stubborn streak a mile wide. Cathy was raised in Hale Center, Texas and Ruidoso, New Mexico before settling in Whitharral, Texas. She was the only girl in the graduating class of six from Whitharral High School in 1966. She attended South Plains College School of Nursing where she received her associate’s degree in nursing to get her LVN degree. Cathy served as a cardiac nurse at Methodist Hospital in Lubbock, Texas, an OB/GYN nurse for several doctors, and later worked as a traveling nurse working with adults with special needs before her retirement.

Cathy loved sports of all kinds from basketball to racquetball to volleyball. She also loved the great “sport” of hot tubbing. She was known for calling or texting family members to make sure they were watching the Texas Tech Red Raider football game on TV. She loved the outdoors and spent much of her spare time out in nature. She had a love for birds, butterflies, and animals, then passed that love to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Cathleen married the love of her life, James Ruff, on May 5, 2001 and they made their life together in Hooks, Texas. She and James were an ideal match as they loved to go camping, fishing, and aimlessly driving through the countryside together as well as spending time with family – loudly playing and enjoying games such as Mexican Train, Dominoes, and Farkle. Cathleen loved eating out and James happily obliged her. One of her favorite restaurants was Cracker Barrel. They had an affinity and a love for each other that ran deep and strong for the 23 years of their marriage.

Cathy was previously married to the late Terry Sires on February 6, 1967. They raised two children together, Angela and Brandon, whom they adored and who each gave them grandchildren they adored even more. Cathleen loved her son-in-law and daughter-in-law dearly. She saw her children’s spouses as her own children and cherished them deeply.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, James Ruff of Hooks, TX; her children, Angela (Gary) O’Daniel of Clovis, NM, and Brandon (Mary) Sires; her stepchildren Scott Ruff of Mount Pleasant, TX and Patricia Copes of Hooks, TX; her grandchildren Quinn (Hailey) O’Daniel of Clovis, NM, James Carter, Rebecca (Chris) Clickener, Ashlyn (Anthony) Tate of El Paso, TX, Jonathan Sires, and Samantha Sires; her step-grandchildren Devin (Sarah) Ruff of Hooks, TX; Cameron Ruff of Canon City, CO; and Marley Ruff; her great-grandchildren Guinevere Clickener, Kagan O’Daniel, and Emery O’Daniel; her sister, Jeanne Whiteley of Tulsa, OK; her brother, William Howard of North Port, FL; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceding her in death are her parents, Woodrow and Allene Howard; her brother, Wilson Howard; and her step-grandchild Cody Ruff. Pallbearers are Gary O’Daniel, Quinn O’Daniel, Anthony Tate, Jonathan Sires, James Carter, and Darin Dunn. Honorary pallbearers are Brandon Sires, Greg Whiteley, Garrett Dunn, and Lucas Dunn.

In remembrance of Cathleen, the family suggests donations be sent to Poodle Patch Rescue, 4112 S Kings Hwy, Texarkana, TX 75501 or your local ASPCA.