Name: Anderson-Clayton-Gonzalez Funeral Home
Address: Mesquite, TX

I am Ruth’s 1st cousin she was 7 years older than me and Merle so at times we were able to talk her in to doing things for us, which we were unable to do related to our age, both of us together were pretty persuasive together. 
The thing that caused both of us both the biggest issue was when I was about fifteen, and I talked her in the teach me in to drive. (My Dad had refused). Well, when I told her, I could not drive, she assumed I had some knowledge or practiced at some time, because Merle had drove all the time.
So, one Friday night she took me, and her red Buick station wagon out in the country. I got in the driver’s seat, she in the front seat. She gave me instructions, and off we went fast, so Ruth told me to slow down and hit the break, well I hit a pedal all right, just not the correct pedal, but the accelerator with Ruth hitting me on the arm, screaming HIT THE BREAKS! Well, the car stops, when the car ended up on its side. A neighbor heard use and called the police, we did not get a ticket. (after that my Dad decided he needed to teach me how to drive after, I nearly killed us)
Merle and I also persuaded her in to getting us a bottle of Boone's Farm strawberry Hill we were about fourteen it did not take much to get us tipsy, it was the first time, I tried alcohol. A few weeks later she felt guilty and told my mom.
Ruth was always funny telling stories, so talented singing, playing the guitar, arranging flowers, crocheting and all crafts.
Liz McCoy

Sweet lady, gone too soon. Prayers of comfort and strength to family and friends. 

We will miss aunt Ruth… still can’t believe it… but will definitely remember you and keep you in our hearts…. Fly high…

Ruth loved the girls doing her hair rainbow colors! Delilah, Abby,angel, and Summer had so much fun doing that with her!

A lil over a year ago I started a new job and was taking on a big challenge in my life I couldn't find a apartment I could afford and Ruth rented me a room she treated like a daughter and encouraged me on the days I thought I just couldn't push forward.. always made me laugh she and I would eat taco's on my days off ,and sit and tàlk for hours I'm going to miss you ..she never made feel like a stranger,she made me feel at home..


Our Ruth was such a wonderful soul! Her joy was contagious! I’m truly missing her but I know she is pain free now and singing with the angels!

We love and will miss you Grandma Aunty .. 💔❤️‍🩹❤

My absolute favorite memory of Ruth is the last time I talked with her on the phone. She was staying with Candy at the time and had almost recovered from the “Whipple” surgery which was no doubt a very serious surgery. She told me she was now a “skinny” girl, but it was quite an ordeal to get there. We both had lots of laughs as we shared many stories together. She sounded so full of excitement and joy! She shared about her renewed found faith in the Lord and about the church she was attending. This was the most I had ever talked with her about the Goodness of God and Him always being there for us, even when we aren’t aware of it. Ruth shared several stories about all of the many crafts and surprises that she had planned, made, or bought  for her special nieces and nephews for holidays and special occasions. She LOVED Christmas the most! She went into great detail describing many of the special items she had crafted and the joy it gave her in surprising her nieces and nephews. Ruth must have been an A+ “Aunt Ruthie” to many! I pray that all of her family will remember the many God given, creative and skillful talents that she used to bring joy and excitement to others. She is now resting in the very presence of our Sweet Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We who believe WILL one day be reunited with Ruth and our other loved ones for all of eternity! May Peace and Comfort that truly comes from Holy Spirit be with each and every loved one of Ruth’s this very day and forever. With love, Cousin Kaybo

I remember Ruth's 2015 Mother's Day. Tim surprised her with her favorite flower. An orchid. She said they are such delicate plants to grow, but she loved them so. They lived in Mesquite, TX then. It seemed like forever, every time I went to visit her she would show me the beautiful orchid that Tim bought for her. And tell me how happy & proud she was that he thought so much about her. She could get so excited about the simplest things. It never took very much to make her happy. 

Aug. 13, 2014. 
For Ruth's 62nd. Birthday I threw her a small birthday party because she said no one thinks to throw her a party for her birthday. I guess once you reach a certain age people assume you no longer need a special day just for you anymore? That was mine & Ruth's explaination of it anyway. We both learned to except it years ago. Having only sons & no daughters, what other choice did we have? Guys don't  think of such things, not really. But she always wanted, especially, 3 things for her birthday. Carrot Cake, Icecream, & lots of balloons. The reason being, our Mom use to make each of us the cake of our choice for our birthdays, old days, homemade icecream, later on store bought. And the Birthday recipient always got at least one if not more hellium Balloon. So if we got that for our birthday  and had our family around us, then we always thought it was the best birthday ever. Both of our birthdays are in summer months. So hotdogs and/or hamburgers on the grill is always the favorite birthday meal. Keep it simple and mainly enjoy close family & friends. Celebrate making it through one more year! 
Happy 70th Birthday Ruth. I love you sis. 

Feb. 2014 in Hillsboro, TX. Ruth loves being the clown. This turned out to be Uncle Rodney's  last Birthday. So, I'm  glad we all got to be there with him. In this picture, Candy, Ruth, Liz (our cousin), & I are having a good time. Edelia decorated his birthday cake for me after I baked it. And he absolutely loved his birthday cake. That was his best birthday ever, he said. 

Before 1959, for a little bit Mom, Dad, & Ruth lived in California near his brother, Doyle & his wife Sue. They had several kids. They came back to TX before I was born in 1959. Ruth was named after our cousin, Lajean Ruth Covington, & our Mom, Virginia Merle (Terry) Covington.  Ruth & Kay are closer in age. She was totally spoilled by the time I came along. Because our Mom & Dad believed, at the time, that Ruth was the only child they would ever have. So, YES, she was extremely spoilled and way over protected by both of them. But very much loved by them. You can ask anyone that knew her back then. 

When Ruth lived in Joshua, TX., late 70's to early 80's. She would sometimes go out to clubs & bars with me to sit with the band playing that evening. I knew many of them. I would always end up dragging her up on stage to sing with them. Several of those bands are very famous bands today. Whenever a band heard her for the first time, they were always shocked & amazed by her natural talent. She was so awesome on stage. I wish her sons & the rest of the family could've  seen her then. It's  memories always close to my heart. She was so talented with her singing voice. She could've  made it big and be famous today. But, she never could get over her stage fright. She loved the memories of me dragging her (literly) onto the stage and making her sing. Even though she couldn't  do it on her own. No, I cannot sing. Ruth always swore I am completely tone deaf and can't  carry a note. And she should know. 

Ruth was born the first child of Wendell Ray "Snowball" Covington (1930 - 1997) & Virginia Merle "Jinx" Terry Covington 
(1929 - 1994)
She was their only child for 7 yrs. before I came along in 1959. At which time she protested and cried for my mother to "send her back, she's too ugly". Yep, that was my big sister. But, I was kind of ugly from being born too early. Mom assured her that I would look better once I filled out and got my real color. Which I did. By the time I was 6 mos. old, Ruth told me I was a beautiful baby then. We lost our younger brother Johnny Ray Covington, Sr. 
(1963 - 2009)
My younger sister Candy & I miss them both, and our parents a great deal. 


My big sis, Ruth was an amazing person. She loved claiming to be the last hippy standing. She loved bright colors, shiny & glittery things. She loved crochet, scrapbooking, and paper arts & crafts. Her favorite holidays were Halloween & Christmas. She also enjoyed making jewelry. She had no grandkids of her own. But she loved and enjoyed being around all kids. She often said she was glad that Candy & I shared our grandkids with her. She loved being around family on the holidays. She loves her two sons, Timothy Hardin & Russell Hardin. She so enjoyed all the time she got to spend with her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, & great-nephews. She missed her time spent in the states of Oragon & Washington. She really loved it when she lived there. Ruth was born in Dallas & died in Dallas, Texas. But, she had a whole lot of living & traveling inbetween. She will truly be missed by all that knew her.
I love you Big Sis, ... Merle Neumann

OBITUARY

Virginia Ruth Martin

August 13, 1952 – July 23, 2022

Anderson-Clayton-Gonzalez Funeral Home

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