Ruth McEntire Caldwell

Ruth McEntire Caldwell, better known as “Tootles” or “Toots,” a nickname given to her by her father, died October 19, 2024 at her home in Abilene. She was 87. Owner of the U Ranch in Sterling City, which dates back to 1880, Ruth was the historian and keeper of its legacy. She will be missed by the West Texas ranching community.

In Abilene, Caldwell was best known for her love of music, the arts and all things creative, and for her devotion to her late husband Lee Caldwell and to her four children and nine grandchildren.

A funeral service is planned Monday, October 28 at 1pm at First Baptist Church, 1330 N. 3rd Street, Abilene. Family will welcome friends at a visitation October 27 from 4-6pm at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Highway 277 South, Abilene.

Ruth was born September 28, 1937, in Midland to George Herbert “Little George” McEntire, Jr. and Geraldine Cowden McEntire, who also had a daughter, Francis. During World War II, the McEntires moved to Burbank, California, where George was a test pilot for Lockheed, then returned to Midland after the war. After Ruth’s mother died, her father remarried a widow with four children, Mary Ellen Brule Wardlaw. Family skits at the long-standing annual reunion with stepsiblings Nan, Linda, Martin and Mimi were always a great place to showcase Ruth’s youthful sense of humor.

Ruth graduated from Midland High School in 1955 and enrolled at the University of Texas to study geology. There she first became acquainted with Lee Caldwell whose family also had a long history in West Texas ranching. The two would meet again several years later at a party in Midland. By then she was a single mother of two children, Ed and Ellie. The couple married July 31, 1967, and spent the rest of their lives in Abilene.

In 1988, Ruth assumed management of U Ranch, and was passionate about the ranch and its heritage, renovating the ranch home her grandparents had built there and brought her artistic eye to the project, adding framed documents and other relics from its storied legacy. In 2007, she published a book about its history, Through These Portals, in collaboration with Texas Tech archivist and faculty member Monte L. Monroe. After completing the project, she donated many papers and other archival materials to the National Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech University.

Meanwhile, in Abilene, she was an active member of the Abilene Philharmonic Guild, Cotillion Club of Abilene – she loved to dance – and worked on behalf of other causes including Hendrick Home for Children always bringing her artistic sense to the special events of the organizations she supported.

She was always interested in Native American Arts, especially the annual Indian Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Each year she spent time there and in Cuernavaca, Mexico, learning about jewelry design. Eventually, she began creating and selling jewelry in the Santa Fe tradition. Ruth’s passion for art and creativity was expressed daily as she curated her wardrobe and jewelry. She brought creativity to every space she occupied. Hunting and shooting, another natural expression of her ranching heritage, were other passions she especially enjoyed on travels with Lee and with friends.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 57 years, her son Ed, half-sister, Francis Metcalf, and brother-in-law John Hayes. She is survived by her children: Cliff and wife Lauren Caldwell of Sterling City, Andrew Caldwell of Abilene and Martha Elliott “Ellie” and husband Michael Mabrey of Friendswood. Other survivors include nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Caroline Caldwell Sheets and husband Elijah of New York City; Henry Guy Caldwell II and wife Sydney, Tye Isaac Caldwell and Sophia Grace Caldwell, all of Sterling City; Emma Katherine and Cora Belle Caldwell of Nashville, Tennessee; Josh Mabrey of Friendswood; Megan Mabrey of Pembroke Pines, Florida; William Erskine of Cañon City, Colorado; and great-grandchildren Georgia Eleanor Caldwell and McKenna Mabrey. Those wishing to honor Ruth’s life through a memorial gift may wish to contribute to Hendrick Hospice Care of Abilene, United Way Foundation of Abilene or Abilene Philharmonic.

The Caldwell family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Hendrick Hospice Care and Visiting Angels. The family also would like to thank the Abilene community for the support and care after the loss of the love of her life, Lee, and acknowledge the dedication of Lee’s long-time secretary and friend Chris Hoffnagle as well as next-door neighbor Dana Endsley for being there with constant love and support.