Ellen Ruth Collins Potts

Date of Death: March 20, 2015

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visitation

Location Not Available

Sunday 3/22, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

service

Location Not Available

Monday 3/23, 10:00 am

Services to honor the life of Ellen Ruth Collins Potts will be held 10:00a.m. Monday, March 23, 2015, at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, Louisiana, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home. Visitation to encourage her family will be held at Temple Baptist Church on Sunday, March 22 from 2:00-5:00p.m. She succumbed to cancer on March 20, 2015, after a battle which began in September of 2010. \tEllen Ruth was born to the union of Frank Edward and Mamie Delaughter Collins in Port Arthur, Texas, on May 22, 1937. She was predeceased by her parents and older brother Thomas Edward Collins.\tGrowing up in Jonesville, Louisiana, with family and friends brought about precious memories. Academic excellence was her trademark. Ellen Ruth enjoyed high school reunions and appreciated her friends who stayed in touch. \tRuth loved her God, her family, her friends, her church family, her colleagues, and her students. She enjoyed learning, teaching, traveling, watching sports, playing Rook, socializing, and cooking Sunday lunches for her family. Her passion was serving her God through Temple Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School over forty years, sang in the choir, served on numerous committees, and put her heart and soul into missions. She was never happier than when Temple exceeded its missions offerings goals. Ruth traveled all over the United States as well as Canada, Venezuela, Latvia, and Nicaragua on mission trips. She requested that memorials be made to the Temple Baptist Church Missions Fund, 1515 South Service Road West, Ruston, Louisiana, 71270.\tLearning and teaching were her lifelong endeavors. Ruth earned several degrees and numerous honors through her studies at Block High School; Northeast Louisiana University; Louisiana Tech University; The Catholic University of the West in Angers, France; Tuffs University; and the University of Southern California in Santa Cruz. Her educational travels took her to France, Italy, Greece, England, Wales, and Ireland.\tAlmost all of her teaching career was spent at Ruston High School where she taught ninth grade English and embedded Bearcat hearts into her students. Mrs. Potts remained an avid Bearcat fan as long as her health permitted. She loved her students, and they loved her.\tRuth was proud of her loving and caring family, which included her devoted husband of 56 years, Truman Potts; her children and grandchildren, Frank and Lisa Potts, Morgan, Mackenzie, and Harrison; Lori and Jim King, Abbie, and Collin; and a special daughter, Lauri Keen and Daniel Johnson, Jonah, Marley, and Christopher. Ellen Ruth was also blessed with loving siblings: Bobby and Virginia Collins, Frank Edward Jr. and Deborah Collins, Zella and Cleveland Poole, a sister-in-law, Doris Collins Boyd, plus a plethora of nieces and nephews.\tPallbearers will be Mike Craft, James Davison, John Easley, Joe Gaido, Don Gay, Robert Hearn, Doyle Holstead, Clint Scott, and Phillip Washington.\tHonorary Pallbearers will be Salt and Light Sunday School Class, Faith Sunday School Class, and the Pierian Club. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

Location Not Available

Sunday 3/22, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Location Not Available

Monday 3/23, 10:00 am

See Condolences

Mrs. Potts was truly a Bearcat legend. She was always full of love for the Bearcats and her students. She was a wonderful English teacher. To this day I still sing her little songs about gerunds and infinitives. She was always kind but tough, and she really cared whether her students learned. She will always be a central part of my RHS memories. She will truly be missed.

I was so saddened to hear of Mrs. Potts passing! Heaven truly gained an angel! Mrs. Potts had such a positive influence on so many students. I am unable to put just how wonderful she was into words! She was the epitome of a true Bearcat! She truly loved all of us and that love was fully reciprocated! She will never be forgotten and can never be replaced! The image of her cheering on the Bearcats (Especially Beat 'em, Bust 'em!) will forever be etched into my memory! Deepest condolences to her family!!

We remember Ms Ruth as a dedicated teacher and a fine person. Our sons to whom she taught English at Ruston High have high praise for her conscientiousness and ability. She will be well remembered.it is our sincere hope that your own memories will sustain you during this difficult time of loss.

Truman, I only wish I could be there to visit with you. I have kept up with you through a very special friend during these trying times and my prayers have been with you. I only know how hard it will be in the coming days just know that she is with our Lord and that she is watching over us as a guardian angel now. Peace be with you and call me if you need me. You and Ellen were such very special people and I was so very honored to know her.

I am quite certain that Mrs. Ruth has been greeted by our Heavenly Father with a word of praise for a life lived glorifying His name. What an example she provided for us all! I had the privilege of many Sunday lunches at Mrs. Ruth and Mr. Truman's house while I was at Louisiana Tech, and she was a shining example to an English major of what a REAL English teacher looked like. Mrs. Ruth lived her life to the fullest. She raised two children who are amazing and wonderful people. I thank you for your daughter, who is one of the best people that I know and for your example.

Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.

Truman, I am so sorry to read of Ruth's passing. She fought the good fight and touched many lives in the process. Our family appreciated Ruth's speaking at Tom's funeral and I only wish that I could be there in person tomorrow. Thank you for being friends to both of my parents and May God Bless both you and your family.Keith KelleyLagrange, Illinois

There are so many words to describe Ruth Potts. She was one of a kind, a very special lady with such an amazing love for life! Our paths first crossed as she was my permanent substitute teacher in 4th grade at Cypress Springs. Then in 7th grade she was my French teacher at Glen View and at RHS, she was my cheerleader sponsor. I always admired the positive spirit that she had and the way that she truly cared about her students.She continued to show her interest in us by coming to our high school reunions to say hello and hear about our lives. Each of us were blessed to have known her and to have been taught by her. We are comforted in knowing that she is in heaven praising Jesus now. May God be with your family as you adjust to life without her. We will continue praying for you. Love to you all!

Ruth was just the epitome of kindness and Godliness...such a sweet, gentle woman and so happy to have had the pleasure of knowing her and having her as part of my extended family. Special thoughts and prayers to Truman, my sister Lisa, brother in law Frank, Morgan, Mackenzie and Harrison. Also to Lori, Jim, Abbie and Colin. You were all so fortunate to have such a wonderful woman in your lives. Love you all.

You were such a Special person to people and also to my family and especially the grandchildren we have shared all these years..I know you were a big influence in their lives as well as others...Rest in Peace Ruth....knowing that you were Loved by many......Love you, Betty Jo Hooks

We enjoyed meeting and getting to know you when we were neighbors of lisa and Frank. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Nick and Tammy

Truman, I am so sorry to hear of your wife's passing. I still remembering her grading tests and homework papers while accompanying you to the NLSHP meetings.

Your mom touched the lives of so many and those special memories of her will never be forgotten. What a special lady she was! We are praying for your family. Brady and Deborah Moore

Ruth's influence lives on in the lives that she touched in her earthly journey. To her family I will say that you are fortunate to have had such a loving, sincere, kind person as a Mother, sister, wife, and friend.

To know Ruth Potts is to love her! I can remember vividly being in her freshman English class and on the cheering squad with her as my sponsor. She was a stickler for good behavior as she always expected the very best from her students. You never ever left her class without knowing the RHS Alma Mater. Her grandaughter Abby was born my freshman year and Mrs. Potts could not have been more excited! She was a true Ruston Bearcat and I'm a better person to have known her. When my family moved back to Ruston and we started attending Temple, mrs. Potts was ever the encourager. I enjoyed seeing her and she was always upbeat that she was feeling good and always made the best of her situation. I LOVED that my daughter was able to meet Mrs. Potts because the very first cheer she learned at RHS mini clinic was "Beat 'em Bust 'em" and I wanted her to know her embodied that cheer!! Words could never truly do justice to the way I feel about Mrs. Ruth Potts. She is an amazing woman who touched so many lives. She was loved!!!!!

Ruth exemplified the life of a Christian. She will be missed by many.

What a blessing Miss Ruth has been to so many people. These blessings will continue as her spark and light will be everlasting on earth and now in heaven. You have been incredibly strong.

Ruth Potts was the epitome of what Christ wanted us to be on earth. She was my Sunday School teacher when we first moved to Ruston. She and I visited many people together and we always had a great time doing it. She helped me continue to see the value of missions in my own life and in the life of my church. Heaven has received one of His finest. I know she is organizing mission groups and choir practices up there. Until we see you again, thank you for the influence you had on all of us. Our prayers are with your sweet family.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.