Ruby Merle Hendry Steely passed away on September 25, 2009 in San Antonio, TX. She was born on March 17, 1919 to Lovick Pierce Hendry and Ruby Dean Tuten. She was one of 8 siblings- third one born after Lura Mae and Alda. She had 2 brothers and 5 sisters. Preceded in death by her parents "Doc" and Ruby Hendry of Lake Bird, and her sister Lura Mae Kinard, her brother Robert Marvin Hendry of Lake Bird, her husband Houston Ray Steely and her oldest step-son Larry Steely. She is survived by her only son William Gerald Slaughter and wife Alice of San Antonio, TX, her step-sons Dana Steely of Prescott, Arizona, David Steely of Boca Raton, Florida, her sisters, Alda Hatcher, Reba Hayes, Jewel Horton, June Lytle of Lake Bird, and brother Thomas Hendry of Tampa, Fl. Grandchildren, Robyn Jeanine Marcak of Houston, TX, and William Shane Slaughter of San Antonio, TX, Step-grandchild, Keith Steely of Tennessee, Great-Grandchildren, Kyle and Kaitlyn Marcak of Houston, TX, Austin, Kassandra and Mark Slaughter of San Antonio, TX, and many nieces and nephews. Merle was a fun loving person and enjoyed pulling practical jokes. She loved her family more than life itself. She never wanted to be a burden to anyone. She lived in Nashville, Tennessee for many years where she worked in food management for a private school. In 1982 she returned to Lake Bird to be closer to her mother and members of her family. While in Lake Bird, she and her husband Ray Steely ran a Thrift store in Perry and had many dear friends who would come by and visit. She was a member of the Lake Bird Church in Lake Bird, Fla. Merle moved to San Antonio, TX in 1997 to live with her son Jerry and his wife Alice. Here she brought much love, fun and happiness to them and her grandchildren these past 12 years. Visitation at Joe P. Burns Funeral home on Friday, October 2, from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Funeral Services at Joe P. Burns Funeral Home on Saturday, October 3, at 2:00 P.M. Interment at Lake Bird Cemetery in Lake Bird, Fl.