Ruth Elizabeth Gates

Ruth Elizabeth Gates, 96, of West Columbia, Texas passed away on Monday, April 19, 2021. Ruth was born on October 15, 1924 to Mary Elizabeth Traylor Ringgold and Dr. John Wesley Ringgold. Ruth attended Ashdown High School then furthered her education at a business college in Little Rock, Arkansas. She went on to work as a statistical typist then daycare worker. Ruth was a member of Columbia United Methodist in West Columbia, TX and was a loving mother to her 4 children.

Ruth was preceded in death by her mother Mary Elizabeth Traylor Ringgold; father Dr. John Wesley Ringgold; 4 siblings; son Berton Gates Jr.; sons-in-law Jesse Mashaw and James Davenport.

She is survived by her daughter Rosalyn Mashaw of Bremond, TX; daughter Mary Shepherd (Jerry) of Midlothian, TX; daughter Barbara Davenport of West Columbia, TX; grandchildren Roy Mashaw (Destinee) of Bremond, TX; Jennifer Chambers (Scott) of Teague, TX; Mandy Shepherd of Midlothian, TX; April McIntire (Chris) of Flowermound, TX; Timothy Shepherd of Rockwell, TX; Brittany Bain of Willis, TX; Trey Gates (Tiffany) of Merkel, TX; Elijah Davenport (Jenn) of Spring, TX; Joshua Davenport (Amy) of West Columbia, TX; Anna Head (Ralph) of Rosenberg, TX; Ariel Davenport (Kendall) of Brazoria, TX; Joseph Davenport (Victoria) of Brazoria, TX; Faith Cao (Henry) of Rosenberg, TX; and 33 great-grandchildren.

A gathering for Ruth will be held Monday, April 26, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a funeral service and committal to follow at 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Sonny Bowman and pallbearers will be Roy Mashaw, Timothy Shepherd, Trey Gates, Elijah Davenport, Joshua Davenport, Ariel Davenport, and Joseph Davenport. All services will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home and Cemetery in Webster, Texas.

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