Ruth Lanelle Pape

Ruth Pape, 94, a former long-time resident of Hobbs, passed away peacefully in Lubbock, Texas, surrounded by two sons, a grandson, and a daughter-in-law. 

Ruth was a small-town girl born in Crane, Texas, on February 15, 1929. She was one of four children and was a proud resident of Penwell and Odessa, Texas, during her childhood. She graduated from Odessa High School at 16 and married Vernon A. Pape in 1948. Ruth traveled from home to California to be near her husband, who was stationed in Okinawa during the Korean War.

In all her endeavors, she used her remarkable organizational skills and phenomenal work ethic to improve work environments, always using optimism and kindness to everyone. She utilized these strengths doing diligent administrative work for the U.S. Army, Shell Oil, and Mobil Oil, and AV department at Hobbs High School. But to Ruth, the most important jobs were being a constant and caring mom to four children and a devoted volunteer to her church. She selflessly served her husband, children, and church at First Methodist Church with vigor, intellect, and love. 

In retirement, she enjoyed capturing family events and vacations on camera and compiling photo journals. Every Christmas, her family could anticipate the greatest gift of a photo journal of the past year's highlights.

Ruth was one of the few left of the greatest generation, and she did everything without expecting recognition. It would be hard to find someone as devoted and relentlessly servant hearted as her. In her last days, she found comfort in reading about Heaven from a book her sister gave her: In Revelation 22:3, John cites, "No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him." You served us well, Mom, Minga, Grandma, Sister, Ruth. We are overcome with grief but know you and all the other saints serve Him now. We love you!

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Vernon A. Pape, Sr., and two brothers, Billy, and Morgan Walker. She is survived by her closest friend and confidant, her sister, Betty Baird of Fort Worth, TX, whom she visited with on Facetime every day. She deeply cherished her siblings with profound love and respect.

“Minga” or “Grandma,” as the grandkids call her, is also survived by son, Vernon Jr., and wife, Janie, of St. Louis, MO; daughter, Elayne Hanson, and husband, Ernie of Midland, TX; son, Steve, and his wife, Pam, of Arlington, TX; and her youngest, David and wife, Tana, of Lubbock, TX. Grandchildren include Sam Grimes, Tadd Grimes, Michelle Henson, Nicole Grant and Vernon III, Jordan, and Jake Pape. Ruth has five beloved great-grandchildren and her beloved dachshund Docker.

Ruth's services will be held on Saturday, January 20, at 1:30 pm (CST) in Lubbock, TX, at Wolfforth Methodist Church. The graveside service and final internment will be held on January 22 at 1 pm (MST) and 2 pm (CST) at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Hobbs, NM.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to her granddaughter Nicole's charity: Operation Pawprints, Inc. 3618 93rd St., Lubbock, TX, 79423, operationpawprints@gmail.com.