OBITUARY: Ruth Busby Gage, 101, dies June 1, 2013
Ruth Busby Gage was born Sept. 4, 1911, in Cedar Hill, Texas, to Stephen and Maud Busby. She died June 1, 2013.
Ruth, eldest of eight children, moved with her family to San Saba County in 1929. She married Clayton Gage in San Saba on May 14, 1934. They had two children — Bobby Clayton and Mary Ann — and lived in San Saba until 1952, when they moved to Llano to operate the System Grocery & Market.
Ruth was primarily a talented homemaker, although she did the occasional odd job, from selling Avon products to helping out in the grocery. She loved her family and was fiercely loyal to them. She was a wonderful mother, mother-in-law and grandmother and loved spending time with her grandchildren, Scott and Christy. She sewed for them, read to them, sang with them, took them fishing and attended every event possible in which they participated. Gage was truly “the icing on the cake,” and she showed his pictures at the drop of a hat! Her “Nanny rolls” were legendary, and a huge favorite of Luke, her grandson-in-law.
Ruth loved music and encouraged all her family to be as musical as possible. She was a reader and saved articles of interest for her family, especially if it had something to do with staying safe. She enjoyed flowers and surrounded her home with plants of all kinds.
Her parents, siblings and in-laws were precious to her, as well, and she maintained contact with them as long as she was able to do so. She was active in her church, serving as director of the primary Sunday school department in several Baptist churches and teaching vacation Bible school when it was two weeks long! She and Clayton opened their home to visiting preachers and missionaries, and she baked untold amounts of food for church dinners and occasions.
In 2008, Ruth and Clayton moved to the Lewallen House in Brady, where they received dedicated individualized care. They were able to enjoy 76 years of marriage before Clayton’s death in November 2010.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Mary Ann (Gage) McCarver of Brady; son-in-law, David McCarver of Brady; daughter-in-law, Diane Gasgow Gage of Brisbane, Australia; grandson, Scott D. McCarver of Austin; granddaughter, Christy A. McCallum of Justin; grandson-in-law, Luke McCallum of Justin; great-grandson Gage R. McCallum of Justin; brother, Frank Busby of Brownwood; sister, Marcheta Baker of Temple; and brother-in-law, Jim Gage of San Saba.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Stephen and Paud Busby; husband, Clayton; son, Bobby Clayton; sisters, Georgia Lou, Gladys, Kathlyn, Juanita and Betty; and many close family members and friends.
A funeral service is 2 p.m. June 3 at Waldrope-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Home, 307 E. Sandstone in Llano, (325) 247-4300, with the Rev. Rick Cundieff officiating. Burial will follow at Llano City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to First Baptist Church in Llano or a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to whhfuneral1@verizon.net or made at www.whhfuneralhome.com.