Reta Joan Edmondson Ruthart Springer || Obituary

Reta Joan Edmondson Ruthart Springer, 88, of Rockdale (formerly of Paris), passed away gently and peacefully late Thursday evening, July 13, 2023, at Rockdale Estates & Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 2023, under the pavilion at Mt. Tabor Cemetery, 5063 FM 1499, Caviness.

Joan was born the second eldest daughter to James (Bob) Edmondson and Willie Marie Harwell Edmondson in Waldron, Ark, on March 8, 1935. Her father’s job with Frisco Railroad moved them across Arkansas and Oklahoma, with the family making their final move in 1954 to Paris. By this time their family had grown to five girls that filled their home on West Austin.

Joan was next to the oldest and was definitely no stranger to hard work. As young girls, she and her sisters joined their mother to work their farm while their father was in another state after being transferred to the railroad. One particular incident speaks to the tenacity of Joan, her mother and her sisters. The railroad pay was not enough to sustain the family, and during one of James’ rare visits home, he was lamenting about his small paycheck. Joan ran to the root cellar and returned with a jar of beans that also contained $200 earned from selling eggs, milk and other things from their farm. However, one of Joan’s most important jobs was, when as a young woman, she became head of household and surrogate mom to her three younger sisters when her father became ill. Joan kept things together at home so her mother could be at her father’s side until he passed.

Proverbs 16:27 says idle hands are the devil’s workshop. Joan did not know idle hands. Her employment as an adult landed her at Westinghouse, Vassarette and St. Joseph Hospital. 1965 tested her resiliency when she became a single mom. Like the warrior and survivor she was, she buckled down and raised her four children. It was not easy, but she did it with grace and did not complain.

Sewing, crocheting, quilting and working in her yard were things that brought her joy. One Christmas many years ago she gifted each of her children and grandchildren with queen-size quilts made by her well-worn hands. She cut every piece by hand and sewed each stitch with love. Those quilts are treasures to this day.

Predeceased are both parents; her eldest son, Larry Mike Springer; grandson Zachary Springer; and sisters Bobbie Jane Stephens and Linda Sue Turner.

Joan lived in Paris until dementia began to take its toll and she moved to College Station to live with her daughter and then to facilities that could better care for her declining capacity. The family would like to thank The Waterford in College Station and Rockdale Estates in Rockdale for the impeccable care and love they showed Joan. If a dementia patient can thrive as they decline, Joan sure did. Our reserved sister, mom, Granny and G-gran, who had always struggled to show affection, blossomed as she was touched and kissed and loved on over the past 5 years. What a beautiful gift it was for us to all witness this transformation.

Survivors include sisters Patsy Ruth Bowman and Elsie Lee Edmondson; son Kenneth Springer (Beth); daughter Sandy Springer Langwell (Mark); son Charlie Jordan; daughter-in-law Deann Preas Springer; grandchildren Lucas Springer (Lindsay), Elias Springer (Bailey), Brice Springer, Derrik Springer, Emily Springer, Megan Langwell Riddle (Tyler), Matt Langwell (Stephanie), Dusty Langwell (Mollie), Jeremy Jordan and Justin Jordan (Marissa); great-grandchildren Aubree Springer, Ava Springer, Liam Springer, Wyatt Springer, Basil Riddle, Hap Riddle, Zara Langwell, Lillie Jane Langwell, PreslieLangwell and Sterling Jordan.

If desired in lieu of flowers, consider contributing to the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement or charity of choice.

A light lunch will be provided at Caviness Volunteer Fire Department immediately following the service. All are invited to attend for a meal and fellowship. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Judy Allen and Shari Coker for helping coordinate this lunch. We would also like to thank Cowboy Church Bible Camp in Reno for their love and welcoming hands when Mom moved her membership there later in life and thrived in that membership until her mind began declining.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.net.