Ruth Watkins Stovall

Ruth Irene (Wetsel) Watkins Stovall, of San Angelo and formerly of Ballinger, passed away Friday, July 6, 2012 at Baptist Memorial Center in San Angelo at the age of 86.

She was born September 4, 1925 in Wingate, Texas to Joe L. and Hattie E. (Emfinger) Wetsel. She grew up on a farm during the great depression, helping to raise her siblings, working on the farm, and taking care of her sick grandmother. Hard work, with little money for comforts, helped to shape Ruth into a woman who never balked at work and lived by the proverbial saying, “Want not; waste not.”

Ruth met and married the love of her young life, Clifford L. Watkins, on July 4, 1942. The made their home in Ballinger, Texas. After only four months of marriage, WWII took Clifford away from Ruth when he was drafted into the Army. After he was deployed, Ruth moved back to Wingate where she gave birth to their first son, Clifford Lamar Watkins, Jr. For two and a half years they couple did not see one another but communicated through letters and photos. Like many women during this time, Ruth took on the role of a single mother raising her son.

When Clifford, Sr. returned, he and Ruth took up where they left off, happily settling into life together. In time they were blessed with two more children, Elaine Watkins Briley and Tim N. Watkins. During these years, Ruth continued to work. First she took a job at Penny’s Department Store and became an Avon representative. She also worked at Bailey Drug located in downtown Ballinger.

After Clifford’s death in 1974, Ruth met and married Bill Stovall who would be the second and last love of her life. They moved to Abilene where Bill worked for Pride Trucking, and Ruth took a job at Dillard’s selling cosmetics (which she loved).

After Bill retired in 1982, they moved back to Ballinger and bought the “house on the hill.” Ruth’s grandkids thought she was the coolest grandma around. What other grandmother could shoot, clean and cook a deer, or catch, clean and fry up catfish? Ruth and Bill spent their days in retirement enjoying each other and life. They loved gardening, hunting, taking their grandchildren to the farm, square dancing, and volunteering with their church. They bought an RV, joined the Sam’s Club, and began working with the Baptist Retirement Volunteers, traveling around East Texas and New Mexico, building and repairing churches. Ruth’s beautiful smile and bright, laughing eyes will be remembered and missed by all who knew her.

Preceding her in death were her parents; brothers, Albert, Arlee, J. L. (Jr.), Jessie and Daniel Wetsel; sisters, Norene Flowers and Mittie Danford.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Bill of San Angelo; her children, Cliff Watkins, Jr. and wife, Janet, of Rowena; Tim Watkins and wife, D’Anne, of San Angelo; Elaine Briley and husband, Billie, of San Angelo; stepchildren, Joe Stovall and wife, Brenda; Randy Stovall and wife, Barbara; James Stovall; and Heidi Stovall Snell and husband, Lincoln. Also surviving are two brothers, Troy and Coy Wetsel, eight grandchildren, nine step-grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Saturday, July 7 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. Funeral service will be Sunday, July 8 at 3:00 p.m. at Lange Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ferris Akins officiating. Burial will take place in Ballinger Evergreen Cemetery.


Memorial donations may be made to a favorite charity.