Willie Ruth Steptoe, 62, of Navasota, passed away Monday, November 9th at her home. Calling hours will be held on Friday, November 13th at Nobles Funeral Chapel from noon until 5:00pm and visitation with the family present from 5:00 – 7:00pm. A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00pm Saturday, November 14th at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church with interment to follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Rev. Gregory Baldwin will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Nobles Funeral Chapel.
Willie Ruth was born August 30, 1953 in Navasota to Will Steptoe and Thelma (Johnson) Steptoe. She attended school in Navasota and worked in the pipe industry at a local manufacturer to support her two sons. She was loved dearly by all who knew her and best known for her cooking.
Willie Ruth is survived by her sons Nathaniel Steptoe and Chatawna Moore of Navasota and Will Steptoe of Navasota; sisters Mary Johnson and Harold Hickman of Bryan, Marie Johnson and Ricky Watson of Navasota and Kathie Johnson and Marvin Jessie of Navasota; brothers James and Veronica Johnson of Navasota; Charles and Pamela Mitchell of California and Mace Johnson and Florence Scott of Navasota; grandchildren Deon Paldo and Quantavius Moore, great-grandchildren Deantre Paldo and Ke’shawn McDaniels and godson Alton Magee.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ira Paldo; brother Wilson Steptoe and sister-in-law Annie Mae Steptoe and daughter Janice Marie Steptoe.
Serving as pallbearers are Reggie Thornton and Michael Anderson of Bryan, Jason Scott and Jackie Johnson of Navasota, Mace Bonner of Rosenberg and Cliff Johnson of Madisonville. Honorary pallbearers are James Johnson, Mace Johnson, Will Steptoe, Alvin Mitchell, Deon Paldo, Nathaniel Steptoe and Quantavius Moore.