Hazel Ruth Thomas Schofield

Hazel “Ruth” Thomas Horton Schofield passed away at her home in Corpus Christi June 1, 2016. She was born February 6, 1926 to Jesse Bryan and Beulah Belle Black Thomas, in Alba, Texas, but was raised in Covington, Tn. She was the fourth of eight siblings. In 1948, she married Era Peyton Horton, Sr. and they had two children, Era P., Jr. and Debra. She was widowed when Era Horton died while serving in the Air Force. She remarried James W. Schofield, also in the Air Force, and they had two sons, Jimmy and Drew Schofield. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Ruth and Jim made their home in Memphis, Tennessee. They moved to Corpus Christi, Texas in 1994 to be closer to their daughter and young grandchildren.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, siblings and first husband, Era Horton. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, James W. Schofield, Sr.; three sons, Era P. Horton, Jr. (Toni) of Salem, Oregon; James W. Schofield, Jr. (Ceilia) of Collierville, Tennessee; Christian Drew Schofield (Rhonda) of Cordova, Tennessee; and one daughter, Debra Horton Boyle (Bobby) of Corpus Christi, Texas; 16 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was a military wife and enjoyed staying in touch with her many friends all around the country. She loved fishing, and playing croquet, lawn darts, and basketball with her grandsons. Her passion was family, cooking and gardening. One never left our mom’s house hungry. She became an avid cookie and muffin baker, making a new batch several times a week. She distributed these to all her neighbors and made sure to send cookies to the grandchildren who went out on their own. She even baked cookies to take with her on visits back to Memphis. As she said, “Everyone likes grandma’s cookies”. And we all surely did. Family reunions were always at her house because she was the best cook and always had plenty.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 8 at 10:00 am at Cage Mills Funeral Home on Everhart. Burial services will be on June 17, 2016 at 10:45 am in West Tennessee State Veteran’s Cemetery, Memphis, Tennessee.

Arrangements under the direction of Cage-Mills Funeral Directors, Corpus Christi, TX.