Longtime Nacogdoches resident Irene Ruth Loftin Cooksey, age 92, passed away peacefully June 7, 2013, in Plano, Texas, at the home of her daughter following a brief illness.
Ruth was born February 13, 1921, in Akron, Ohio, to Texas natives Joel Dewitt Loftin and Beth Saxon Loftin. Before she started school, her family moved to Texas and she was raised in Waco, where she graduated from Waco High School in 1938. She was always grateful for the loving presence, support and influences of her grandparents, aunts, and uncles during her formative years.
She graduated from Texas State College for Women (now Texas Woman’s University) in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Food. She received her Master’s degree in Education from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1970.
She married Henry Bennett Cooksey on March 21, 1947, near Henderson, Texas, at the Carlisle Baptist Church. They lived in Henderson, Greggton, Longview, and finally Nacogdoches, where Ruth resided for 45 years. They have two children, Sally and Robert. Ruth taught elementary and secondary reading in the Longview Public Schools and one year at Central Heights before retiring. Late in 2011, Ruth moved to the Conservatory, an independent senior apartment complex in Plano, to be near her family.
Through her years in Nacogdoches, Ruth participated in many community activities such as University Women’s Club, Stone Fort Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and teacher groups such as Alpha Delta Kappa and Texas Retired Teachers.
Her first love has always been Jesus Christ her savior and her passion was service in her church. Ruth was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Waco by Rev. J. M. Dawson. During her adult life, Ruth felt privileged to worship in churches led by ministers who were also dear friends: Rev. Milton Davis of Carlisle Baptist Church who married her; Rev. James Dixon of First Baptist Greggton, Dr. Morris Ford of First Baptist Longview, and Dr. Allen Reed, of First Baptist Nacogdoches. Ruth attended services at the Conservatory in Plano led by Rev. Paul Williams.
While an active member of FBC Nacogdoches, Ruth was involved in the Women’s Missionary Union, Intercessory Prayer Room Ministry, Flower Committee, and a pulpit committee. She once was named “mother of the year” in her church.
Her second love was her family. Left to mourn her are daughter Sally and husband Dan Ray of Plano; son Robert and wife Gail Cooksey of Colleyville; granddaughter Deborah and husband David Lott of Plano; grandson Bennett Ray of Plano; and great-grandchildren Alyssa and David Lott, Jr. of Plano. Also surviving Ruth are her brother Harry S. Loftin, nephew Joel and wife Teresa Loftin of Wesley Chapel, Florida; sister-in-law Emma Ruth Cooksey of Weatherford; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Dr. Bennett Cooksey and her brother Joe D. Loftin.
Visitation will be Sunday, June 9, 2013, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Funeral services will be at two p.m., Monday, June 10, 2013, in the chapel of First Baptist Church, Nacogdoches. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Nacogdoches. A memorial service is planned for June 22, 2013, at the Conservatory in Plano.
Pallbearers will be Richard Cook, Bill Stevens, John Alvin Woods, David Reed, Dwight Whitman, and John Wyatt; and honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth White, Jimmie Simms, Charles Pool, Dan Thompson, Tom Franks, Langston Kerr, Jimmy Partin, James Hurst, and Milton Moorer.
Memorials in her name may be designated to either Missions Projects or Steinway Piano Fund of First Baptist Church Nacogdoches, 411 North Street , Nacogdoches, Texas 75961.
The family expresses gratitude to Ruth’s friends, neighbors, and church family for many loving acts of kindness.
Online memories and condolences may be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.
