Mellie R. Hoya

Ruth was born in Nacogdoches County December 17, 1922, as the thirteenth child of sixteen children, born to Quincy Franklin King and Jessie Eva McKey King who predeceased her. She passed away February 11, 2022.

Ruth was raised and went to school in rural Nacogdoches. She married Weldon Bailey (Tony) Hoya in 1942 before he entered the Navy in World War II. After Tony left for the War, Ruth moved to Dallas to help care for her sister Pearl’s three children. She had her daughter Sue Nell and son Weldon Dana (Danny) in Dallas before she and Tony moved to Houston where she raised her family and lived for 63 years.

Tony died in 1995. Ruth’s son Danny died in 2017 and Sue’s husband Joe Cantu in 2020. She was also predeceased by all her brothers and sisters except her brother Herman. She is survived by her daughter Sue Cantu and Danny’s wife Charlotte Hoya, grandchildren Stacy Hoya and husband Ken Akridge, Cody Hoya, Melanie and husband Cale Moore, and great grandchildren Bailey and Kason Akridge and Margot Moore. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom she helped raise and a host of great nieces and nephews who were blessed by her memories and southern cooking.

Ruth was one of four girls among many brothers who loved to fish, hunt and play dominoes (forty-two). She was the only sister with an interest in all three. She not only liked to hunt and fish, she also liked to cook and eat her game. In fact, she was a cook of all things East Texas. She dedicated her life to raising her family and making a home for Tony, Sue and Danny. Being a member of the large King family there was often some member of the family living with them for an extended period while getting established in Houston.

Ruth moved to Georgetown to live with Sue and Joe in 2011. She moved to Rockwall near Danny and Charlotte and their children for two years in 2014 and returned to Georgetown when Danny became ill. She was known for an amazing memory and wit. Although she suffered a number of ailments in her later years, she lived a long and fruitful life and was loved by many.

Melanie and I would like to express our extreme gratitude to Celeste Neathery for the loving care and comfort she gave to mother during her hospital stay.