Ruth Downes

On January 4, 2023, Ruth Downes passed away. Ruth Downes was born on October 19, 1940, to Mary and Henry Schmiedekamp in Falls County, Texas.

Ruth graduated from Rosebud High School in 1959. After attending Providence School of X-Ray Technology in Waco, she worked as an x-ray technician at Kendrick Memorial Hospital in Abilene and various clinics in Waco.

On May 20, 1961, Ruth married Terry Downes, her high school sweetheart. With the birth of her daughters Kim and Terese, Ruth immersed herself in her family. She was active in the PTA, served as a room mother and a Camp Fire leader, drove carpool, and made sure her family ate together every night. An amazing seamstress, she sewed almost all her daughters’ clothes. She also took pride in decorating her home and running the household.

Ruth was ahead of her time, an independent woman who taught her daughters the importance of an education and strength. When her youngest daughter finished elementary school, Ruth went to work to put the girls through college. She worked in outside sales at R. T. French Company and Rath Meat Company and then became the first female salesperson at Adams Extract Company. She retired in the late 1990’s. Never one to relax and/or sit still, she then focused on her love of going to garage sales. She would buy, repair, paint, or repurpose items and then resell them in a booth in an antique mall.

Ruth was respected at work for the same reasons she was loved by her family, friends, and neighbors. She was always on time, did her very best, was unfailingly honest and treated others the way she would want to be treated. She always put others’ happiness ahead of her own and would help anyone in any situation.

Her integrity was best exemplified in how she presented herself. She was never one to “put on airs;” both confident and humble, everyone knew the “real” Ruth because there was only one. She was an eternal optimist, could always find the funny in any situation, and never met a stranger. Ruth loved all animals and spoiled her cats and dogs, inheriting some from her neighbors.

She enjoyed the simple things in life: finding a good bargain, going on picnics, and hosting huge holiday meals for her family, complete with her mother’s recipes, dress-up skits, and gag gifts. Strong in her faith, she was an active member of St. Louis Catholic Church since the 1970s. Ruth always said her daughters were her greatest accomplishment. A veterinarian and a teacher, both were inspired by their mother’s love of all creatures and her desire to help others. Through her example, Ruth taught her daughters to work hard, have fun, and love unconditionally.

Survivors include Terry, husband of 61 years, daughter Dr. Kim Wilkins, son-in-law Frank Wilkins, and grandson Tristan Wilkins, daughter Terese Henry and son-in-law David Henry, sisters-in-law, Louise Welch, Darlene and husband Terry Taylor, and Dixie and husband Glenn Horn, numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a favorite animal charity.