- Date Of Birth: April 8, 1927
- Date Of Death: October 8, 2021
- State: Indiana
Linda Ruth Houston Ousley, known by most as “Ruth,” passed away on October 8, 2021, at the exact age of 94-and-a-half, a detail she would have appreciated as the keeper of birthdays and important dates in the family. Ruth was born April 8, 1927, in Sharps Chapel, Tennessee, to Ottis and Grace (Walker) Houston.
She started out in a one-room schoolhouse where she met her future husband, John Ousley. The two married in 1950 and moved to the less scenic central Indiana in pursuit of flatter farmland. Ruth later worked for Delco Remy, from where she retired. Ruth often went back to the Houston farm in Tennessee to spend time with her family, and especially loved the annual Molasses Making event that doubled as a family reunion. She took pride in “making sure you had enough to eat,” her grapevines, her tomato and green bean plants, her rose bushes, her annual Easter Bunny Cakes, and festive holiday decorations.
She enjoyed contributing to school bake sales and was once presented an award for “providing the best snacks.” She loved telling stories about “the old days.” Most of all she cherished every moment spent with her family, was always there for them, and never took a single moment with them for granted. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband John Ousley, her parents Ottis and Grace Houston, her brother, Samuel Lee Houston (KIA-WWII), her sister Ada Mae Houston, and her brother, Jimmy Rae Houston.
Survivors include her son, Michael (Susan) Ousley, grandson Matthew (Danielle) Ousley, great-granddaughter, Lillian Ruthann Ousley, and sister-in-law Meryl Houston. She also had “a whole slew” of cousins, nieces and nephews, in-law relations, and many friends, all of whom she treated as close family.
