Ruth Olivia Gates Brown

Ruth Olivia Gates Brown of New Orleans, Louisiana transitioned into eternity on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the age of 97. She joins her parents, Oliver Monroe Gates and Clara Taylor Gates; her husband, Joe Willis Brown; her former husband, James Walter Rabun, II; her sons, James Walter Rabun, III and Steven Carey Brown; her brothers, Ira Grayson Gates (Dorothy) and Loyd Gates; her sisters, Ollene Gates Smith (Homer), Juanita Gates Smith (Thomas) and Betty Jean Gates Ryals (Bill) along with a grandson, David Matthew Rabun, Jr.

She leaves behind two children, David Matthew Rabun and Sarah Margaret Brown; a sister-in-law, Joyce Brown; six grandchildren: Terrance James Rabun (Teri), Samantha Renee Brown (Keith Weiss), Richard Monroe Rabun, Albra Clara "Heather" Rabun (Mark Clark), Michelle Ashley Rabun and Montana Rose Hammond (Jesus); a granddaughter-in-law, Jessica Rabun and seven great grandchildren: Jina, Tyler, Tiffani, Dylan, Mason, James and Alistair. Ruth has loved many cats in her lifetime, but is only survived by two of them, Prince Harry and Sugar Dumpling.

She was born in Sikes, LA on January 1, 1926. She left Louisiana after graduating from high school to work for the FBI in Washington, D.C. during WWII. From there, she returned to Louisiana to raise her children and for many years, she lived in Hank William's former home in Shreveport. When her second husband passed away, she moved her young family to Fallbrook, CA where she was a member of the Sweet Adelines. Ruth returned to New Orleans in 1980. She worked for Catholic Charities until she retired and was a longtime member of Lakeview Presbyterian Church.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 10:30 am at Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 5914 Canal Blvd. in New Orleans, LA 70124.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Lakeview Presbyterian Church, https://www.lpcno.org/give, New Orleans Mission, https://neworleansmission.org, SPCA New Orleans, https://nolaspca.org or to Second Harvest Food Bank, https://no-hunger.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LeitzEaganFuneralHome.com for the family.