Ruby Nell Potter

1932 - 2023

Ruby Nell Potter passed away in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 91.

She was preceded in death by parents Frederick and Edna Brown Horn, sons Alan R. Potter and Andrew M. Potter, and siblings Helen R., William H. "Red", Lu Dell, Edward N. "Fritz" and Frederick Arlo Horn. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Leslie Richard Potter, son Arthur Wayne Potter (Vicki), grandchildren Zahavah Angus (Jared), Stephen N. Potter and Corey Potter, and two great-grandchildren; nieces Glenda Evans, Carol Surrells, Freddy Horn, and Nancy Horn; nephews Mark Horn, Garland Horn, Clinton Horn, and Kenny Horn; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ruby was born in Kerrville, Texas and grew up in Hunt, Texas, graduating from Tivy High School, Kerrville in 1949. She married Leslie Richard Potter on December 22, 1952, in San Antonio, Texas. She had many jobs over the years. As a child she helped her mother run a café from their home. She worked as a waitress, car hop, produce manager, and cashier. At Kelly AFB in San Antonio, she worked as a clerk/typist, addressograph operator, and inter-office memo communications runner where she met her future husband. After returning from Hawaii where her husband was stationed with the US Navy, she worked as a retail salesperson, independent distributor and became a full-time house parent at the Baptist Children's Home and the Buckner Girls' Home in San Antonio. Her loving, positive influence is still felt in the lives of the children she cared for.

Ruby's passion was being a wife to Richard and mother to her three sons. Her husband describes her as "a beautiful, talented, versatile Proverbs 31 woman". She was a proud military spouse for 30 years until her husband retired from the US Naval Reserves in 1982. Her son Wayne describes her as "the best, most supportive, most loving mom ever". She was also passionate about music. She sang and played the piano from an early age. Ruby would play melodies she heard until a piano teacher taught her chords. She had an amazing ability to play by ear just about any song she heard. When asked how she played by ear, Ruby replied, "You just have to hear it in your heart, honey." She and her husband led music in churches, jails, prisons, and nursing facilities. Ruby loved making music with family and friends, singing gospel in her strong soprano voice.

Ruby also loved family game nights playing Rook, Dominoes, Yahtzee and other family favorites. She was a gracious loser but loved to win. An excellent cook, she provided meals not only for her family, but for her sons' friends that would show up after church on Sundays and at other times, the many children she provided a home for at the children's cottages, and at camps and special events connected to the many organizations she served over the years. In Burnet, Texas she was known as the Cookie Lady for providing many dozens of her chocolate chip cookies every year to the thousands of visitors to Main Street Bethlehem at First Baptist Church. She even allowed a bus's axle part to be heated in her oven for an emergency repair! She drove buses, too, for various groups. Richard and Ruby retired to Burnet, which meant she and Richard had more time for travel (a highlight for her was a trip to the Holy Land), music, volunteering in various mission projects through several organizations and staying active for many years. She is deeply loved, fondly remembered, and will be missed very much.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life service at First Baptist, 108 S. Vanderveer Street in Burnet, Texas, on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 11:00 am. There will also be a reception on Sunday, December 3, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Esplanade Gardens, 10790 Toepperwein Road, Converse, Texas in the Piano Room.