FATHEREE, Ruby (Holden)

Ruby Fatheree was born June 12, 1914 in Willow, Oklahoma to Zuna Ross and John Charles Holden. Her mother died during the flu epidemic when Ruby was only five years old. She and her brother, John, and sister, Bonnie, were sent to live with aunts and uncles until her father remarried her stepmother, Pearl, and the family was reunited in El Reno, Oklahoma. Ruby received her teaching degree from Oklahoma Women's College and began her career as an educator. At that time, young teachers were to be single, never drink, smoke, play cards or dance! In 1941 she married Tom Guy Capps. They had two children, Karen and Tommy. Ruby spent the majority of her teaching career in Pampa, Texas where she taught English for many years before becoming the high school counselor. She touched many young lives during those years and never failed to offer love and understanding along with some good advice. Her job wasn't only at school. She counseled with her students' families in their homes. She could be found at the hospital or the jail rescuing one of her students. On many occasions, she brought them home with her. After many years as a single mother, Ruby married Gene Fatheree in 1966. Gene had two children, Norma Jean and Richard, whom she embraced as her own. Ruby and Gene moved to McAllen, Texas in 1981. Even though she had retired, Ruby continued to be the ""counselor"" for friends and family. People were drawn to her for her tolerance, sense of humor, zest for life and sage advice. Although she outlived most of her contemporaries, she had lots of younger friends. After her husband, Gene, died in 1997, Ruby continued to live in McAllen. One of her most enjoyable pastimes was teaching English to young mothers at Su Casa de Esperanza. She had a great deal of influence on her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Their Nana helped set them on a straight course in life. Ruby is survived by her children, Karen Hunke and her husband Phil (McAllen), Tom Capps (Portland, Oregon), stepdaughter Norma Jean Demmer and her husband, Ron ( San Antonio), stepson Richard Fatheree and his wife, Vicki (Austin). Grandchildren include : Miles Hunke Horton (Kerrville), Merritt Hunke Kennedy and her husband, Paul (Corpus Christi), Alexa Capps Rabb and her husband, John ( Austin), Clint Capps, (Austin), Charlie Capps, (Portland, Oregon), Ellie Capps (Portland, Oregon), Denise Baughman and her husband, Mark, (New Braunfels) , Richard Fatheree and his wife, Sarah, (Austin), Amy Fatheree Lam (Wichita Falls). Great grandchildren include Noe Horton, Nicholas Horton, Kate Kennedy, Cuatro Kennedy, Holden Rabb, Samantha Rabb, Abigail Lam, Grace Lam, and Elie Lam Ruby faced many challenges through the years with her health but managed to overcome each of them largely due to her great will to live. Even her last challenge of cancer didn't dampen her spirit. She fought it with optimism until the end. Many thanks to Ruby's doctors and nurses, Beyamar Hospice, Sabina Maldonado, Yolanda Rojas, Noemi Gentry, and Camila Segura for their loving care. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Kreidler Funeral Home in McAllen. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, McAllen, Texas on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Quinta Mazatlan, P. O. Box 220, McAllen, Texas 78505 for the ""Ruby Pond"" and native plant garden to enhance the new education building.