Ruby Reed Capps

Mrs. Ruby Reed Capps, 87, of Port Neches, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 in Groves, Texas. Born July 25, 1925, in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, graduated valedictorian of the 1943 class at Chataignier High School. Her husband, Dr. Charles J. Capps, Jr., of over 50 years, preceded her in death in 1996. Always of the opinion that God puts two people together to create one great person, they lived their life as one. It was a marriage filled with respect, love, laughter, children, two granddaughters and travel. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Adam T. Reed, and Matilda M. Reed, three sisters, Jimmie Naff, Lois Miller, and Marjorie Simon, and two brothers, Pat Reed and Murphy Reed. She is survived by one son, Dr. Charles J. Capps, III, and wife Patricia; one daughter, Paula Suzanne Capps. Her greatest joys were her two granddaughters, Allison Suzanne Jernigan, and Emily Hunt Huckabee and their accomplishments. She's also survived by her stepmother, Eunice Reed and her three brothers, Berkman, Jerry, and Floyd Reed; four sisters, JoAnn Aguillard, Earlene Cooper, Rene Kessler, and Lynette Bisceglia as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Ruby's warm and generous manner, was always a beacon to all that needed help. She was generous in time, interest, warmth, and availability to all, and left her indelible mark on all who were receptive to her vivacious personality and exceptional personal warmth. She had an abiding Christian faith and rarely felt old. She loved to travel, was adventurous, and was fond of experiencing new adventures. She was an inspiration to many, a woman of indomitable strength and joy in life, and she marked many lives forever. After her two children were in their mid teens, she went to work for the Texas Department of Human Services after attending Lamar University. She worked eight years as a social worker in Family Services in the Port Arthur office and in 1974 became the first Regional Volunteer Director for DHR'S Region 10, located in Beaumont. She excelled in that position and pioneered many helpful and innovative endeavors that would help clients in crisis. She organized Community Ecumenical Crisis Intervention Centers in every one of the fifteen counties in Region 10. She was cited with numerous awards for her work in southeast Texas and was called upon to help in other Texas DHR regions for her assistance and consultation. She also assisted several other states with the model that she developed throughout Texas. She wrote much of the material still used for organizing and training volunteers and volunteer boards for those organizations. There were 23 Crisis Mission Centers operating when she retired in September 1990. In November 1989, Ruby was honored as a 1989 winner of Outstanding Women in Texas Government. First Lady Rita Clements presented her with the Governors award in the Senate Chambers in Austin. Ruby was tender, but tough. She possessed a powerful will, dry wit, keen observation, earthly wisdom, calm decisiveness, steadfast values, and abiding faith. She sometimes focused so completely on the moment that she forgot the hour or day. Others indulged that trait knowing that when they needed it, that same focus would be on them. A service "Remembering Ruby" will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 20, 2013, at Levingston Funeral Home in Port Neches. The family has planned a private entombment that will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Serenity Mausoleum in Port Neches. The family shall receive friends who wish to pay their respects from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Friday, April 19, 2013, at the funeral home. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church Choir Fund; 5856 9th Ave.; Port Arthur, Texas 77642 or to a charity of their choice.