Ruby Janette Underwood Steele

She was born in Beaumont, Texas on November 28, 1942 where she lived with her parents, Irby and Lorene Smart. They moved to Houston during Ruby’s early years where she attended school and shared her vivacious personality through music, choir and cheerleading. Ruby graduated from Galena Park High School in 1961.

Ruby married her high school sweetheart and had two daughters. She worked for many years at Channelview Bank and eventually remarried and moved to Pasadena where her family expanded. She and her husband, Hollis Underwood, owned and ran a successful hearing aid business, started a church, and traveled when possible.

Ruby committed her heart and life to Jesus at the age of 10. She began a relationship that saw her through to eternity with her Heavenly Father. She was steadfast in her desire to seek His will for her life and be a vessel that was used up in doing His work with everyone that was placed in her world; family, friends, church family and strangers. Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all you ways to submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

She served at several churches through the years in many different capacities: she sang, taught, prayed, cooked, cleaned, mentored or simply held a hand listened. For the past 40 years, Ruby was a member of Elim Church in Houston. She sang in the choir for many years as well as serving and leading the prayer team. She felt a call to minister to women and helped organize the first Elim Ladies Retreat which is still an annual event. She served as director of King’s Daughters and then started a women’s mentoring ministry, Heart to Heart. This ministry gave women from all backgrounds and ages a one-on-one connection to someone they could reach out to any time for counsel and friendship. Years later many of these women are still connected.

For such a little lady, words can’t contain Ruby’s zest for life, the love she gave and her deep, grounded faith. God was her mirror and she devoted her life to reflecting His love, forgiveness and acceptance. Ruby loved completely and unconditionally without reservation.

Ruby was a whirlwind of fun, belly-deep laughter, calm when needed and wisdom whether wanted or not, but always given graciously. She was in the business of building up and never one for tearing down. Her playful spirit lives on in her grandchildren and hopefully her humor and compassion will be passed along and resonate in our future family, as well as her resilience for loving family in all circumstances.

Ruby always choose joy and spent her life spreading God’s joy. Family was the core of her heart and she has left a beautiful imprint on all of us. She left us her mirror to reflect what we can do to find and bring God’s joy in our lives and all the lives we touch. This is Ruby’s legacy, to spread love and to give God all the glory.

Ruby is lovingly remembered by the families of her children and grandchildren: Kimberly Cathcart and her sons, Conor, Corey, Sean and Rhys; Carrie and Angel Tabuena and their children, Anthony Tabuena, Josh and Jenny Tabuena and children, Jett and Julia; Karen and Scott Smith and their families, Chance and Emily Chandler and daughter Sophia, Shannon Lopez and Derek Eshleman, and Melanie Lopez; James and Cheryl Underwood and their children Claire and Chase Furman and children Adelaide, Levi, Crockett, and Pax, Clark and Hillary Underwood and children Rosemary and Otis; Becky and Mike Pertl and their children Eric and RheaAnn Pertl and children Luke, Josiah and Remi, and Kelly Martin and sons Caleb and Camden.

Passage:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:4-9 NIV

Visitation will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home, 21620 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX 77598, US, on October 7, 2026, from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

A Funeral will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home, 21620 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX 77598, US, on October 8, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am.

Committal will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home, 21620 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX 77598, US, on October 8, 2026, from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm.