Ruther Lee Malone

On the 20th day of September 1939, a precious baby girl was the first born to Cleveland and Virginia Miller-Phillip in Natchitoches, Louisiana. They named her Ruther Lee Phillip, affectionately known as "Big Auntie" by her family. Mother accepted Christ as her personal savior and was baptized at an early age at Rockford Baptist Church. In addition, she remained faithful to God throughout her life. She was educated in the Natchitoches Parish Public schools. After moving to Galveston, Texas, she united with Jerusalem Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor A.S. Johnson where she served on the usher board and the senior choir. She later moved her membership to Progressive Baptist Church under the leadership of late Pastor M.C. Bridges where she served faithfully to the mission, the adult choir, and nurse’s aide ministry. As her health started to fail, she began to fellowship with her family at Greater St Matthews Baptist Church under the shepherd of Pastor William L. Randall, Jr. Ruther met and married her first husband, Edward Ward and to that union, her first daughter, Pretrea Ward, was born. After the passing of Mr. Ward, she later united in marriage to the late Deacon Willie Malone. To this union three children were born, Patrick LeRome, Carolyn Yvette, and Antonio "Tony" Orlando. Ruther began her medical career in the Nursing Department at UTMB. She later transferred to St Mary's Hospital as a loyal employee and was recognized and awarded Employee of the Year in 1985. Following 25 years of employment at St Mary's, she retired in 1987. Ruther never met a stranger and was willing to do anything she could for anyone she knew. Mother was the backbone of her family. She was God-fearing, a prayer warrior, peacemaker, listener, disciplinarian, bible reader, a firm believer, and a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, confidante & mentor. She will always be remembered by her strict rules, and the look she would give you that meant business. Ruther was proceeded in death by her parents, Cleveland and Virginia Phillip; siblings, Joe West, Ora West, Dora Phillip-Rachel, Cleveland Phillip Jr., Evelyn Phillip-Parris, Helen Phillip-Brown, Lawrence Phillip, William Phillip, and Rio Phillip-Walkes. Mothers’ legacy will forever live in the hearts of her beloved family. Her beautiful children, Carolyn Malone, Patrick Malone, Pretrea Ward-Butler (Rodney), Antonio "Tony" Malone (Gillian); her caring grandchildren, Rodney Jarrad Butler, Shardania K. Johnson, Tyler Butler, Ariana Bautista, Bryce Malone, and Cai Malone; her dedicated brothers, Theodore Phillip (Ruthie) and Henry Phillip; her loyal sisters, Sadie Demery, Marcie Williams, Juriel Phillip, Geneva Phillip (Fred) and Lucille Phillip; her in-laws, Mary Malone-Carter, Roberta Malone-Bridges, Evelyn Phillip, Ruthie Phillip, Jessie Malone-Duckett, Gloria Malone, Joe Malone, Fred Phillip; her loving Goddaughters, LaQuita Allen-Pierce, Linda Dunbar-Jenkins; her play daughter, Lola "Nola" Jones; devoted friends, Georgia Owens, Marie Smith-Senegal, Mildred Sam, Bertha Davis, and Eunice Okorie RN; and a precious host of loving nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believe not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.  John 10:25