Virginia Ruth Price

Virginia Ruth Price passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on June 19th in Corpus Christi, Texas.

  Born in Fort Worth, Texas on April 18, 1927 to Pauline Pearl Rippy Willard and Lawrence Anthony Willard, Ruth enjoyed a loving childhood and adolescence in Fort Stockton, Texas.  She graduated Valedictorian of her high school class from Fort Stockton High School in 1944.  Ruth then went on to study nursing in San Angelo, Texas where she graduated as a registered nurse in 1947.  While working as a nurse for a local doctor, she met and married her husband, Leslie Allen Price in 1947.  Ruth then began her 35 year career as the school nurse for 6 schools in the area.  She was the first school nurse employed by the school district.  She even wrote the nursing curriculum for other nurses to follow.  She took a small break from nursing for five years to operate and manage the Silver Saddle Lodge.  After selling the motel, she went back to being a school nurse.  Ruth retired after 35 wonderful years to travel with her husband and father all over the United States in their RV.

During her time in Fort Stockton, Ruth enjoyed serving in the First Baptist Church as a Sunday School teacher and choir member.  She also spent many hours donating her time as a Girl Scout leader of the Permian Basin Girl Scout Council, Directed several years of Day Camps, leading girl scout troops and volunteering at summer camps at Camp Mitre Peak.  Some would say her blood runs green!

In 1990, Leslie and Ruth moved from Fort Stockton to Many, Louisiana to enjoy retirement on the lake.   When she wasn’t fishing, she was volunteering at the House of Hope or on the Lake’s Board of Directors.  As members of the First Baptist Church in Many, Ruth taught the Senior Ladies Sunday School class as well as being a member of the choir.  Leslie and Ruth were both active in the church and were extremely giving of their time hosting fish fry’s and cooking briskets for the community.  After Leslie’s passing in 1997, Ruth went on living on the lake and serving her community.

When Ruth was diagnosed with Dementia, she moved to Corpus Christi to be closer to family.  She enjoyed her living arrangements and meeting other residence of the homes she stayed in.  She may not have remembered the names of the individuals, but she sure remembered the hymns being sung on Sunday at church service.

  The staff at The Viera Memory Care Unit constantly expressed their genuine affection for her. She had a smile for everyone who came into her presence.  They were truly her Earthly Angels, making sure she was comfortable and cared for until the very end.

  Ruth was preceded in death by Leslie Allen Price, her husband of 50 years and father of her children, her father, Lawrence A. Willard and mother Polly Willard, her brothers Alan Willard and Steve Willard. She is survived by her three children:  her daughter Polly Anna Salvato and her husband Donnie Salvato, and sons, Lonnie Price and Donnie Price.  Ruth was also blessed with six grandchildren: Melodye, Heather, Keith, Candi, Jeremy and Misty and 12 great grandchildren.  Ruth also inspired a large and loving assemblage of nephews, nieces, children- and grandchildren-in-law, and other family members and friends who were touched constantly by her love.

Ruth will be buried beside her husband Leslie at Jerusalem Cemetery in Many, Louisiana. Visitation will be held on June 23, 2021, 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas.  A Funeral Service is planned to celebrate her life on June 23, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church Chapel in Corpus Christi, TX.

Guestbook available online at www.resthavenfunerals.com

Arrangements and care entrusted to Resthaven Funeral Home, Sinton.

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