Aug. 9 1922 – Sept. 22, 2015
Ella “Ruth” LaCoste, 93, of Sweet Home died peacefully at home under hospice care on Sept. 22, 2015.
Ruth was born Aug. 9 1922 in Loxley, Ala., the daughter of Henry Columbus and Ella Virginia (Dunn) Devine, the seventh of nine children.
She graduated from Murphy High School in Mobile, Ala. in 1940. In December 1941 she met James Anthony LaCoste. On Feb. 7, 1942 they ran off to Mississippi and got married because James was only 20, which was underaged in Alabama.
Later, they had their marriage blessed in the Catholic Church. They lived in Mobile until 1955, then California until 1986 and then settled in Sweet Home.
In her early years Mrs. LaCoste enjoyed dancing, bowling and camping. Later in life she became a caregiver for several family members.
She was also involved in the Women’s Club at St. Helen’s Catholic Church and Royal Neighbors of America.
She was cared for by Ken and Barbara LaCoste for more than four years.
Mrs. LaCoste is survived by three sons, James A. LaCoste Jr., Kenneth J. LaCoste and Richard S. LaCoste; a sister, Alice Juanita Harbin; 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband on Sept. 18, 1989.
A recitation of the rosary was held Sept. 26 at St. Helen’s Catholic Chuch in Sweet Home, followed by a funeral Mass, and burial at Gilliland Cemetery.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.