Ruth Gibson Moore

Ruth Gibson Moore of Austin and San Antonio passed away in her sleep at 94 years of age on March 4, 2015. Ruth was born on July 6, 1920 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Ruth was proud of growing up on a dairy farm near Alvin, Texas. She loved to tell stories of being a self-described country girl, working hard with her 2 sisters and 4 brothers on the family farm. She delighted in telling about singing to the cows at the top of her lungs from horseback (she wasn't very proud of her singing voice), and roller skating in the barn. Ruth lost her mother at an early age, so life was not easy, but as she said her mother had told her, "Hard work never killed anyone." She excelled in school, graduating from high school a year early, and entered St. Mary's Infirmary School of Nursing in Galveston. She graduated with honors, and entered the U.S. Army Nurses Corp as a Registered Nurse and 2nd Lieutenant in March, 1941, just in time for World War II. While serving in the military she met the love of her life, G. Tom Moore Jr. Tom constantly reminded her that she was "the prettiest nurse I ever saw!" Both members of America's Greatest Generation, she and Tom were married in the Chaplain's Tent at Camp Swift in Brownwood, Texas January 2, 1942. She managed the Obstetrics unit in the Army Hospital at Big Spring, Texas during the war.

After the war she and Tom went back to Tom's home town with their son, G. Tom Moore III (Tommy as a child, and Tom as an adult), and Ruth opened and operated the Beaumont Infirmary, a hospital specializing in obstetrics. Ruth practiced what she preached, as her son Robert Lynn Moore (Bobby) and daughter Judy Kay Moore (Sprowls) were both born at Beaumont Infirmary. Ruth retired temporarily from the hospital business when Tom's career as a District Manager with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals took them to Austin in 1958. She was the consummate hostess and they developed a wide social circle, enjoying time golfing and boating on Lake Austin. Ruth was a skilled chef, and her cocktail parties became neighborhood staples, enlightened by her jokes and hearty laugh. Tom's success with Wyeth then took them to San Antonio in 1968, as he once again, as he had in Austin, took a troubled district to the top selling district in the country for Wyeth. They repeated their social success in San Antonio, and enjoyed golf and traveling with friends. Ruth returned to nursing as an empty-nester with Nix Hospital in San Antonio as a Labor and Delivery Nurse.

Ruth was very involved in the Episcopal Church, at St. Mark's in Beaumont, Good Shepherd in Austin and St. Luke's in San Antonio. She served on Altar Guild and worked at the Green Door charity shop in San Antonio.

Ruth started playing bridge at age 14, and was an excellent bridge player; she and Tom became a prize-winning contract bridge team. After Tom retired from Wyeth, Ruth and Tom traveled the U.S. in their motor home, golfing at every stop and enjoying seeing the country together and again creating friendships across the U.S.A.

Ruth was the definition of a "Steel Magnolia." She endured the loss of both of her sons, long before their time, but always kept her nurses' desire to help others in the forefront. She was the one that people turned to in times of trouble, and she was always there, ready to give with strength and compassion. She became the matriarch of her extended family. She taught her family how important family events were in keeping the family together, as time and distance made it more difficult.

Ruth and Tom were married for almost 70 years, until she lost her soulmate late in 2010.

Ruth was preceded in death by her sisters Ruby Lee and Estelle, and by brothers James, Ray and Joe. She is survived by brother Rex Gibson who lives near Alvin, Texas.

Ruth is survived by her daughter Judy Sprowls and husband Steve of Austin, grandson Garrett Sprowls of Austin; granddaughter Kristin Sprowls Gilbert and husband Phil of Maplewood, New Jersey and great-granddaughter Ainsley Gilbert.

Ruth and her son Tom are survived by his wife Sue Moore of San Antonio and Tom's children, Ruth's granddaughter Michele Moore Hirata and husband Jeff of Dumfries, Virginia, great-granddaughter and great-grandson Gennifer and Tyler Hirata; grandson Tom Moore, IV and wife Aaryn of Huntsville, Texas and great-grandsons Kaleb and Christopher Moore.

Ruth and her son Bobby and daughter-in-law Cherryl are survived by Ruth's grandson Robby Moore and wife Stephanie of Austin, great-grandson Trey and great-granddaughter Maddy Moore; grandson Christopher Moore and wife Rikky of Ft. Hood, Texas and great-grandson C.J. Moore; and granddaughter Ashley Moore of San Antonio.

Ruth's memory will be cherished by all, and her life touched many.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 1500 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin, 78746 at 11:30 AM Saturday, March 14, 2015. The family has requested donations in lieu of flowers in Ruth's name to St. Michael's Episcopal Church, www.st-michaels.org.