Born Jan. 25, 1918, in Irving, Ruth Potts was the first child of Walter and Jacy Smalley Dorety. She married Lloyd L. Potts Sr. on Jan. 8, 1936. She left this earthly existence for her heavenly home on Nov. 23, 2010.

Ruth loved flowers and plants almost as much as she loved life. Everything she touched bloomed and prospered. Of course, she also loved Bingo. She had a zest for everything she did.

Ruth worked hard all her life, but she loved working. She was proud to be a “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II. This experience set her occupational path. Most of her working days were spent as an electrical assembler for North American, Temco, and Chance Vought.

Upon suffering a heart attack she retired from Vought Aircraft Corporation after 21 years of service.

Having married a man with the wanderlust, Ruth lived many places, including many states in the North and East. Most recently she has lived in Pharr, Sinton and Greenville. In Greenville she lived at Colonial Retirement Lodge where she continued to enjoy life.

 Since January 2008, she lived at Legend Healthcare (formerly Greencrest Manor) where the dedicated staff cared for her with much love and attention. American Hospice personnel Shelly and Tanesha also cared for her for the past few months. There she continued to be the life of the party she had always been.

In her lifetime, Ruth, along with her husband, was a major participant of clubs promoting tropical fish and rabbits.

They were founding members of The Texas Cactus Council. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Altrusa’s Golden Agers, Audie Murphy American Cotton Museum, Salvation Army Ladies Group and the Red Hat Society. Ruth was a “social butterfly.”

Ruth adored her brothers and sisters and their spouses. She is survived by two brothers and two sisters-in-law, Carl W. Dorety of Ben Wheeler and Walter G. Dorety Jr. and wife Gwen of Grand Saline and Billie Joe Dorety of Van Aylstine.

Along with her parents, a sister, Mildred Robertson; brother Clarence Dorety and sister-in-law Reinetta Dorety and brother-in-law Harold Robertson preceded her in death.

Ruth’s smile was always dazzling. She set a great example of happiness for everyone who crossed her path. Her friends are so numerous they are legend. She could always find something about which to be happy. You couldn’t stay unhappy when you were around her.

Ruth and her husband raised three children, daughters Betty and husband Joe Livesay of Greenville and Kayla Kay and husband Josué “Frank” Reyes of Corpus Christi all survive her.

Her only son, Lloyd Potts Jr., preceded her in death.

She is also survived by grandchildren, Scott Wenzel of Point, Richard Potts of West Columbia, Sandra Iley of Indianapolis, Ind., Anthony “Tony” Potts of Austin, Laura Wenzel-Livesay Davis of Farmers Branch, Vincent Potts of Rowlett, Frankie Reyes and Joshua Reyes of Corpus Christi, Marcia Mainord of Greenville, Lynn Graham of Rockwall, David Livesay of Broomfield, Colo.; 16 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her very faithful best friend, Helen Reid.

Memorials may be made in her memory to Wesley United Methodist Church, Greenville or Old Kit Cemetery Association, Irving.

Cremation arrangements are by Peters Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at www.petersfh.com