Ruth Barbosa Rodriguez

Ruth Barbosa Rodriguez, 87, of Port Arthur passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at Calder Woods in Beaumont. Ruth was born on May 7, 1924, in Port Arthur to the late Praxeres and Angelita Barbosa. Ruth was a lifelong resident of Port Arthur and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1944 and later graduated from Port Arthur College. Ruth worked for her family at Barbosa Meat Market which was located on 7th street in Port Arthur. Ruth was known for being a proud Texan and her Southern heritage was very important to her. She was a supporter of Thomas Jefferson High School drill team. Ruth’s main focus in her life was her family. She loved to cook and care for her family and was a proud mother, loving wife and caring grandmother. Her hobbies included bird watching, sewing, embroidery, crocheting and making her own clothes. Ruth always encouraged her children to excel in all they did, to believe in themselves and to always finish what you start to your full capabilities. After raising her children she worked at Mid Jefferson Hospital as a nurse aid and retired with over 20 years of service. She was an inspiration and example to her family. She will be greatly missed.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Frank Rodriguez, Sr., sisters, Rita Arredondo, Gloria Rodriguez, brothers, Salvador Barbosa, Robert Barbosa and Cruz Barbosa and great grandson, Nico Rodriguez.

She is survived by her sons, Frank Rodriguez and his wife Lydia of Houston; Edward Rodriguez and his wife Linda of Lumberton; daughters, Gloria Gonzales and her husband Alfred of Nederland; Phyllis Gnuechtel and her husband Mike of Kerrville; sister, Mayme Wekkin of Klamath Falls, Oregon; 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Sunday, March 25, 2012, from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m., with a rosary to be recited at 7 p.m., at Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 26, 2012, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Calder Woods, New Century Hospice and Home Instead Care for their compassion, professionalism and dedication. The family would like to give a special recognition to her primary caretakers, Fatima, Brenda, Barbara and Mary.