Ruth Orr

Sophia Ruth Keener Orr, 98, was born on October 30, 1921 in Ben Lomond, Arkansas to Nancy Vandora Gold and Robert Lee Needham and died on August 23, 2020 in Tyler, Texas. She married Ellis Keener of Ashdown, Arkansas and they had two sons, Robert Ellis Keener and Gary Dale Keener. Ellis died shortly after Gary’s first birthday and she married Rudolph Orr six years later moving the family to Mineola where she lived the remainder of her life. Ruth, or Mamaw, as she was lovingly called by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was a familiar and welcoming face at Miller’s Menswear, Culp’s Menswear and Jim’s Pharmacy for many years. She loved her Lord Jesus, her family, her church, her church family and sports. She was active in Mineola Church of Christ, Eastern Star, and Ladies Auxiliary of the UTU. She also played basketball for the Arkansas Travelers Women’s Basketball team. In addition to her parents, husbands and sons, she was predeceased by her brothers Denver Needham, Hal Needham, Coolidge Needham and sister Majel Spigner, her beloved granddaughter Anna Ruth Keener Bates and great-great grandson Zander Bates. She is survived by grandchildren Kaye Keener Smith (Frank), Lee Keener, Mary Keener Hawkins, Patricia Matlock (Alan), stepson Terry Orr (Patricia) step grandchildren Sean Orr, Shannon Orr Chichester, Beth Orr, daughter-in-law Diane Keener, many greatgrands and great-greatgrands and three nephews. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 28th, 2020 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Beaty Funeral Home 5320 S. State Hwy. 37 Mineola, TX 75773. Funeral Services will follow at 11:00 am at the funeral home with Mr. Jeremy Harrell conducting. Interment will be at Roselawn Memorial Garden in Mineola, with Jade Bates, Jordan Bates, Jeremy Bates, Hunter Keener, Trevor Keener, Kevin Bates serving as pallbearers.