Ruth Helen McGowan was born in Jackson, Mississippi in 1930. She enjoyed an active social life, participating in sports and spending time with her friends. She and her sister Polly were close and sometimes sang on a local radio program. In 1948, she met and married Roy Windham. They moved to Nederland, Texas and raised their five children. Ruth was an accomplished seamstress and took pride in the clothes she made for her young children. She was an enthusiastic sports fan and loved attending her children’s games! She was an active member of First Baptist Church and especially enjoyed her Sunday School classes. She worked in the FBC preschool for over 25 years.
Ruth was renowned for her southern cooking. For family gatherings, she made sure everyone’s favorite dish was on the table. Even her friends were amazed at how infrequently she used a recipe. She was a natural in the kitchen!
Ruth had a great sense of humor which made for fun times for family and friends. You could count on her to make you smile!
Her passion was her family. She was happiest when her children and grandchildren were around and they felt her love. She doted on her grandchildren and great grandchildren and they relished her attention.
She continued to be socially active. One of her fondest memories was gathering for coffee with her friends after getting the kids off to school. Later, she started a Rummy group with friends Gloria, Joyce, LaVerne and Melba. She was a sharp card player and enjoyed winning! She continued to enjoy sports and was an avid Longhorn fan! She loved watching and attending college sports and the Astros!
Later in life, she became involved in assisting her son, Archie, in his sports memorabilia business. She liked being busy. She took great pride in all of her children’s accomplishments! She loved to share the time she overheard a teacher say, ‘All of those Windham's are smart!’
Ruth left a legacy of faith, love, laughter and patriotism. She was very proud of Roy’s military career. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy, and her son, Archie. She is survived by her children: Joy Holt (Reggie), Ron (Rebecca), Darrell (Teresa), Terri Finley (Mike): grandchildren, Jennifer Baker (Brad), Reggie Dale Holt, Lauren Harris (Matt), Blake Sparks (Adam), Ronny Catherine Thomas (Andrew), Kendle and Zachary Windham, and Madison and Morgan Finley: eight great grandchildren.
Donations in Ruth’s memory can be made to First Baptist Church of Nederland.
A graveside service for Ms. Ruth will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Nederland.