The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Ruth LaCombe Pousson, 84, of Orange, was lifted into eternal life with her Savior on Feb. 2, after an illness that she fought with the same incredible strength in which she lived her life.

Visitation will be from 5:00-9:00 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 4, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. by Deacon Larry David.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Friday, Feb. 5, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange. Con-celebrating will be the Rev. Joseph P. Daleo and the Rev. Sinclair Oubre.

Burial will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Orange with Chuck Riley, Ben Pousson, Taylor Pousson, Bill Lathrop, Johnny Rast, and Steve Williams serving as pallbearers.

Ruth was born on Aug. 3, 1931, in Egan, La. and later moved to Iota where she attended St. Francis School. Ruth had a great love of music and was taught to play the piano by two of her favorite teachers at a young age. She was the organist for St. Francis School and St. Joseph Church for several years.

After graduating from St. Francis, Ruth attended business school in Crowley, La., where she lived and worked for the Acadiana Parish School Board and the office of the Superintendent. In May of 1955, she married Eugene “Gene” Pousson and moved to Orange shortly thereafter.

In 1972, Ruth began her career at Orange County Association for Retarded Citizens (OCARC) as an early childhood development teacher. She attended Lamar University in Orange to further her education and retired from OCARC after 25 years of service.

Ruth was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister for the Sick, on the Altar Society and was a member of the Seniors’ Choir and Seniors’ Club. She was a member of PART (Parents of Retarded Texans), Parents of Lufkin State School, Chevron Retirees and a Lifetime member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary.

In addition to her career and church service, Ruth was a full-time wife and mother of six, as well as a carpool driver, chauffer, amazing cook, little league board member, team mom, room mother and so much more. In her retirement years, she reveled in participating at all levels in her grandchildren’s lives and maintained an active role in her daughter Angela’s life at the Lufkin State School.

The true loves in Ruth’s life were God, family and her friends. She often told family members that the best times in her life where when she had a house full of children and friends for whom to cook. Ruth was a mother-figure and role model to many – her gift of faith (along with her fabulous gumbo) are two of her greatest gifts to those who knew her.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Pousson, son Benny Pousson, parents Raymond and Clelia LaCombe, brother Elmer LaCombe, as well as her sisters Rose Miller and Ethel Leger.

Those left the cherish her memory include her children: Ray Pousson (Melissa), Sheila Lathrop (Bill), Freda Rast (Johnny), all of Orange, Anita Williams (Steve) of Pineville, MO, and her special favorite daughter Angela K. Pousson of Orange, as well as her sister Marjorie LaCombe of Orange. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Chuck Riley (Dena), Chelsea Erickson (Joshua), Meagan Riley (Marcus), Justine Sharpe (Daniel), Ben Pousson, Taylor Pousson, Eric Lathrop (Angela), Julie Gunter (Ron), Amanda Brown, as well as numerous great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Many will remember the legacy that Ruth taught, as Jesus taught. Love and trust of God comes above all. Ruth provided an unshakeable foundation for her children and her large extended family.

The Pousson family would like to express our sincere gratitude to our Mom’s nursing staff at Baptist Hospital in both ICU and Telemetry, as well our gratitude to our Mother’s “Little Angels” at Sabine Place: Patty, Tamyra, Stephanie, Jean, Bonnie, Angie, Latoya, Debra, Ora, Tara, Natheshia, Fumi, Tiffany, Ladericka, Teranie and Martha.

In lieu of flowers, the Pousson family requests that donations be made to Volunteer Services Council for Lufkin State Supported Living Center. PO Drawer 1648, Lufkin, TX 75902-1648.