Ruth Rebecca Barre died on Sunday, October 14, at the age of 90. She was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to Elmer and Lottie Rankin LaForge on June 18, 1922. At her high school graduation, she was the class salutatorian. She married Bernhard H. Barre on September 4, 1955 in Metuchen, New Jersey.

Survivors include her daughter, Judy Joy and son-in-law Jack Josey Newman, Jr. and three grandchildren – Jillian Joy Newman, Jay Jackson Newman and Janna Jacqueline Newman, all of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Lawrence Barre of Rockport, Texas, brother-in-law Chester Barre and his wife Kathryn of Fulton, Texas and sister-in-law, Nellie Mae Hermes of Adkins, Texas as well as numerous nieces and nephews in New Jersey, Texas and elsewhere.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, as well as her sister, Grace Smalley and her husband Michael; brothers, George LaForge, Robert LaForge and Howard LaForge, brother, Willard LaForge and his wife Dorothy, brother Herbert LaForge and his wife Yutta; sister-in-law, Florine Long and her husband Clifton, sister-in-law Faye Barre and brother-in-law Travis Hermes.

Ruth was employed at secretarial work for 43 years. For many years before her retirement, she was also a sales representative for Hochheim Prairie Insurance Company and received numerous awards for her sales work. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church where she was the first church secretary, a Sunday School and Weekday Church School teacher for many years, and a past Sunday School superintendent. After her retirement, she taught reading with the Each One Teach One Reading Program for several years.

Ruth was an accomplished artist and winner of numerous awards for her paintings and much of her work was purchased at art shows and elsewhere. She was an active member of the Yoakum Garden Gate Club and enjoyed making dried and live flower arrangements for which she received many awards at garden shows. In her retirement years, she worked long hours to achieve a lovely yard in which she took great pride and joy. Her greatest love was having her grandchildren spend vacation and holiday time with her. For fun, she enjoyed playing board games with her family during their visits.

Services were held Friday, October 19 at 2:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church with Pastor Jonathan Mielke officiating. Burial was at Oak Grove Cemetery. A Celebration of Life and a meal followed at Holy Cross fellowship hall.

Pallbearers were Jay Jackson Newman, Keith Armstrong, Chester Barre, Nelson Barre, Michael Newman and Leslie Prause.

Honorary pallbearers were her nephews, Alan Barre, Bruce Barre, Clyde Barre, Larry Barre, Stanley Barre, Chris Barre, Kim Barre, Chester Wayne Hermes, George LaForge, Willard LaForge and Roger LaForge.