Ruby Lee Deaton

Ruby (Reba Lee) Deaton, 88, of Beaumont, Texas passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born in Singer, Louisiana on November 27, 1926 to William Henry Foster (Cheney) and Florence Perkins Foster. Ruby attended school in Starks, Louisiana where she played on the girl's basketball team. After graduating from Starks High School, she caught the train to Beaumont where she lived at the YWCA and worked at the telephone company as an operator. She retired from South Park ISD where she served as the Librarian at Blanchette Elementary. Ruby was the first white educator to work at what was an all black school at the beginning of desegregation. She loved her students and brought some of them into her home to share in her family activities. She bought coats and shoes when she noticed students in need. Ruby taught her children the importance of faith, worship and service through her long time membership at Lamar Baptist Church. She served there in a variety of ways, from teaching women's Bible study classes to serving as the Director of their Day Care Center. She loved cooking for others and often dropped off a meal or snack for someone who was under the weather or just needed to know they were special and being thought of that day. She kept a steady stream of encouraging notes and letters going to friends and family. She showed us all the true meaning of the Spiritual Gifts of Helps and Service. Many of us will miss her pecan pie. Ruby is survived by her brother, Sam Foster and his wife, Henrietta. She is also survived by her children, Janice Deaton of Pearland, Jimmy Deaton and wife, Abby, of Groves, Kaye Reviere and husband, Michael, of Kingwood, Starlet Smock and husband, Billy, of Nederland. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Crystal Sliva and husband, Chris, of Pasadena, Mark Deaton and wife, Stacey, of Elberta, Alabama, Amy Howard and husband, Adam, of Port Neches, Ben Reviere and wife, Lauren, of Kingwood, Matt Reviere and wife, Laura, of Nashville, TN, and Kevin Smock of Nederland. She took special joy in watching, advising and encouraging each of them in achieving their goals. She loved the visits of her 9 great grand children, Miriam and Frank Sliva, Macey and Mark James Deaton, Hayden and Carsyn Howard, Faith, Colton and Annabelle Lee Reviere, as well as her "adopted" grandchild, John Oge, of Sour Lake. She always wanted them to "spend the night", with special treats at the ready when they arrived. There are many unrelated friends she considered true family. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and true friend to all who knew her. She lived out her faith with quiet grace, gentle humility and selfless sacrifice. On Tuesday morning, having run with endurance the race set before her, Ruby joined her beloved husband and family in the presence of her Savior. We are sure it was a joyful reunion. She told us in the minutes before she passed, "Daddy is driving a school bus with Maw, Mercy, Bertie, Lurlene, Leo, Mildred, and Carl to pick me up. I have to get ready." What a precious picture she painted, and what a ride that must have been!!!