Ruth Godsey

Ruth Godsey May 5, 1929 - January 31, 2011 Longview, Texas, business owner, Ruth Godsey, age 81, passed away on the afternoon of Monday January 31, 2011 at Margaret's House Hospice, after battling a long illness at her son's home along with her personal caregivers. Services will be 1:30 p.m., Saturday, February 5, at Wilkirson Hatch Bailey Funeral Home in Waco, with burial at Union Cemetery in Durango, Texas. Her nephew, Rev. Billy Faltesek, and brother-in-law, Rev. Bob Weissinger will officiate the services. Visitation for Longview-area friends and family will be 4:00 6:00 p.m., Thursday, at Geo Logic Environmental offices, 340 West Tyler. Waco visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, at Wilkirson Hatch Bailey Funeral Home. Mrs. Godsey was born on May 5, 1929, at Staples, Texas, and raised in Corpus Christi. She married William E. Godsey in 1955 and gave birth in 1956 to her first son, William Robert, who died later that year. She gave birth to William Eugene in 1957 and her daughter, Cynthia, in 1958. She was a devoted wife and mother, taking care of the family, working as a waitress as her husband toiled in the oil fields of the Gulf Coast. In 1972 the family settled in Waco. Ruth became well respected as a waitress/hostess in the finest restaurants, and cared for her husband at home until his death from cancer in 1975. Later, she cared for her ailing mother and father in her home until their deaths. Ruth started her own business, Ruthie's Restaurant, at a location on I-20 in 2001. In 2003 she moved into the Gregg County Court House and ran it there until her health forced her to stop in 2010. She fought bravely until the end, wanting to work each day. Her motto at the restaurant was "If you have time to lean, you have time to clean!" Many people would simply stop by to visit Ruthie, just because she had such a great sense of humor. Her wit will be missed by all. She is survived by her son, Bill Godsey of Longview; daughter, Cindy Ridell of Waco; sisters, Eddie Mae Frazier of Rockport, Texas, and Betty Weissinger and husband, Bob, of Abilene; her grandchildren Jennifer Crum and husband, Scott, of Longview, Kristen Rankin of Waco, Amy Godsey and Blake Godsey of Longview, and Mark Kracy of Waco. She is also loved by many nieces and nephews across Texas and the United States. Donations may be made to Margaret's House in Longview, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, or flowers based on the giver's choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.