Martha Ruth Vickers was born to James and Billye Vickers on March 4th in Beaumont, Texas. She was a very unique person, one of joy and happiness. A smile that one stranger said “was indeed a blessing to see.” Though she was in a wheel chair, her attitude was such that so what – life can be beautiful.
She had an illness that put her in the wheel chair at age 11, but she still continued in school. The first year of her illness, she was taught at home by her grandmother, Nanny Stephens, and then a homebound teacher was sent to her home to giver her lesson assignments. She graduated from Forest Park High School and her teacher, Mrs. Smith, who had taught her all of these years, pushed her across the stage to receive her diploma.
Martha Ruth liked to do counted cross stitch and sequin work. Many persons received her beautiful bookmarks and the calendars that she made at Christmas time. She did volunteer work at the Beaumont Police Station in Parkdale Mall. The American Lung Association selected her as volunteer of the year for stamping literature and folding letters. Her church, Amelia Baptist Church, was her favorite and she served on many committees. The two she liked best were the calling committee and the Prayer Chain. Several members would comment that they hated for her to call them as they could never say “no” to her. She was instrumental in starting the Prayer Chain that kept the members abreast of the prayer needs of the congregation. She took part in the Hope Center walk and was turned in for harassment because when she and her pusher went past the Pastor of the church, they gave him a bad time.
Her favorite football team was the Dallas Cowboys and her dream was to go to the Super Bowl to see them play. This dream was realized when her cousin from San Diego took her to the Super Bowl in Pasadena, riding to the game in a limo. Her interests were many – Elvis Presley CDs, pictures and tapes, and a collection of Precious Moments figurines and dolls. One of her favorite things to do was to go shopping at Parkdale Mall and she soon became known by all the salespersons. She loved animals and at one time she had thirteen cats, but then her favorite became dogs and Penny, her dog, is going to miss her.
Martha Ruth is survived by her mother, Billye Vickers; a cousin like brother, David Callender of San Diego, California; a cousin like sister, Rebecca Carroll of Whittier, California; aunts, Doris Hudson of Corpus Christi, Texas and Eloise Carroll of LaMirada, California; uncles, Donald Vickers of Blackwell, Oklahoma and David J. Stephens of Corpus Christi, Texas; and numerous cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, James W. Vickers and her grandparents, Dave and Myrtle Stephens and James and Naomi Vickers.
Age was not an issue to Martha, as she told someone, “I can’t tell you my age, since my mother will not let me.” And so her age will stay that way. Martha Ruth was truly ageless. She was truly innocent, angelic and reminded you of a Victorian Lady. She will be truly missed by her family and friends, especially those she called her Pals, Virginia Hamilton of Kingwood, Texas, and Elsie Benson, Mary Darby and Pattie Gillespie of Beaumont.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at Broussard’s, 1605 N Major Drive, Beaumont followed by burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will be Monday evening, September 19, 2005 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Mortuary.
The family’s special thanks go out to Dr. Ralph Thompson, her pastor; Dr. Jay Proctor, her beloved doctor; and to his wonderful compassionate staff; and the Fellowship Class of Amelia Baptist Church.
The family request memorial contributions made to Amelia Baptist Church, 8055 Brighton, Beaumont, Texas 77707.
