RUTHIE MAE HENLEY

RUTHIE MAE HENLEY

1929 – 2019

Mrs. Ruthie Mae Ates Henley, 90, of Navasota died Wednesday morning, December 18, 2019, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Calling hours will take place from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 27, at Lindley-Robertson-Holt Funeral Home. A celebration of her life will be held 12:00 p.m. Saturday, December 28, at Missionary Camp Baptist Church, 9429 County Road 423, in Navasota. Pastor Gregory Baldwin of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church will officiate. Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery.

Ruthie was born Saturday, November 23, 1929, at St. Mary’s Colony in Bastrop County, Texas. A resident of Navasota since she was 17 years old, she was a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. She married James L. Henley, Sr. and from this union four children were born.  

A community leader, Ruthie was the manager of Prince Hall Plaza for 31 years. She was also an entrepreneur, having owned and operated Ruthie’s Beauty Shop, Bubba’s Car Wash and Ruthie’s Pit BBQ from 1977 to 2013 and was named by Texas Monthly Magazine as one of the best BBQ restaurants in Texas. She also was an established real estate investor.

Ruthie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James L. Henley, Sr., and brothers, Tom, Rogers and Alton Ates.

Survivors include her children, James Henley, Jr. of Houston, Louis Henley, Sr., Pamela Thomas and husband Kenneth and Barbara Walker and husband Bobby, all of Navasota; grandchildren, Louis Henley, Jr. and wife Lytonia of Navasota, Kiesha Thomas, Justin Henley and wife Tann, both of Houston, Jamel Thomas and wife Tezya of Navasota and Hayleigh Henley.

You are invited to sign the guestbook and leave condolences for the family at www.lindleyrobertsonholt.com.