Ruth Vonderau Stephens

Ruth Vonderau Stephens, 84, of Conroe, TX, passed peacefully to her Heavenly home on December 14, 2018. Ruth had a love for the Lord and spent her lifetime in being the hands and feet of Jesus to those around her. She had fought a courageous battle with cancer over the past year and a half. Ruth inspired all who knew her through her witty sense of humor, her love of her family, her generous giving spirit, her musical talent and her love for God. Born December 2, 1934, in the small town of Ganado, Texas, to Thomas Elijah Hubbard and Lillie Marie Boepple Hubbard, Ruth attended Ganado High School where she was a twirler and Drum Major. She developed her musical skills throughout high school and became an accomplished pianist, playing for the glory of God at several churches throughout her life. Ruth married Edward Vonderau, the father of her three children, in April 1954 . Ruth and Edward made their home in the Westbury area of Houston where she was a Charter member of Westbury Baptist Church. She shared her musical talent and love of the Lord by directing the children’s choirs at Westbury for many years. The Vonderaus moved to the Woodlands in 1978 and Ruth became a member of Fellowship of the Woodlands. Ruth married Otha B. Stephens in June 1995 and they enjoyed traveling and spending time together until his passing. After retiring from the public schools in Houston ISD and Conroe ISD as the attendance clerk at McCullough High School, Ruth volunteered many years in her community. She served at Bridgewood farms in Conroe and most recently at Something Special, the Montgomery County women’s shelter resale shop.

The one accomplishment of which Ruth was most proud was her children. Mark Edward Vonderau and wife, D’Ann , of Beaumont, Brian Lee Vonderau, and wife, Sandra, of Montgomery, and Leah Gay Coale and husband, Louis, of the Woodlands are all blessed to call her Mom. She dedicated her life to encouraging and supporting her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ruth was a devoted mother to her children and a proud Mimi to Christopher Vonderau and wife, Candice, Amy Vonderau Rehorst and husband Kenneth, Nathan Vonderau and wife, Michelle, Kyle Vonderau, Kevin Vonderau, Holly Vonderau Carpenter and husband Tyler, Patrick Coale, Kayla Coale, and Anna Coale.

In the past few years, Ruth’s joy in being a grandmother was further expanded as she became a great-grandmother to Reese Vonderau, Callee Vonderau, Crayson Vonderau, Tate Carpenter, Jude Vonderau and Jack Rehorst. Ruth is also survived by her nephew Thomas Harper and wife, Johnnie, and great niece, Tisha Harper Krause. Step-grandchildren who were blessed to join “Mimi Ruth’s” family are: Kaitlin Laurent, Garrett Cathriner, Heather Valle, Gerry McGlone III, Matthew McGlone, Michael McGlone and step-great-grandchildren Cadence, little Gerry, Connor, Jessalynn, Isiah, Isaac, Christopher, Sam, Jameson, and baby Laurent.

In addition to her parents, the father of her children, Edward Vonderau, and her husband O.B. Stephens, Ruth was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Harper, her brother in law, J.W. Harper, and a daughter in law, Emily Vonderau.

The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge the kind and loving care provided to our mom by the staff at Woodhaven Village and A-Med Hospice Care. Your ministry to all of us throughout the past few months is truly God’s love in action. We will “thank God upon every remembrance of you.” Philippians 1:3.

In lieu of floral tributes, the family requests that gifts in memory of Ruth Stephens be sent to: Montgomery County Women’s Center, 1401 Airport Road, Conroe, TX, 77301, or online at mcwctx.org or

Legacy Christian Academy, 8200 TX-105, Beaumont, Texas 77713, or online legacychristianacademy.org or to the organization of the donor’s choice.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home, 18000 Interstate 45 South, The Woodlands, Texas 77384. A funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2018 with a reception to follow at Forest Park The Woodlands. A private committal service will take place at Houston National Cemetery.