Ruth L. Williams Laster was born Saturday, October 15, 1927 in Marshall, Texas. She was the first daughter born to the union of Rev. Jobie Williams and Corrie Lister Williams.

Ruth was educated in Hallsville Public School System. As a young girl, she confessed a hope in Christ, and was baptized while a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Hallsville, Texas.

In the year of 1946, Ruth married Willard James (Buster) Laster in Marshall, Texas. To this union, three children were born: Willard James Laster, Jr., Frank Laster and Dale Laster.

Ruth enjoyed working with and helping people and for years, she was employed in hospitals such as the San Antonio State Hospital. She also provided personal care nursing assistance. Ruth continued her education at San Antonio College and at Grace Lutheran hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

Ruth recevied a ministry certificate through the United Methodist Church where she was certified as a Lay Minister.

Ruth loved family. This included not only her immediate family, but also grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She enjoyed being a wife and mother, and she was a loving and supportive "big sister" to her siblings.

Ruth enjoyed serving God. She was a pastor's wife and worked alongside her husband throughout many pastorates for over 70 years. She helped to organize several Baptist churches in San Antonio, Texas. She was the First Lady during pastorates in San Antonio, Texas, Brackettville, Texas, Amarillo, Texas, Ft. Madison, Iowa and several in the Marshall, Texas community.

Ruth loved to read and study the bible, along with reading additional Christian literature. Ruth was an amazing and passionate  teacher of th word of God. Ruth's passion for the word was taught to her three sons, as two are currently serving as ministers and a son is currently serving as a Sunday School Superintendent.

Ruth continued her journey of service to God by uniting with the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, Hallsville, Texas in 2014, where her son, Dale Laster, serves as pastor. A scripture she often quoted, Proverbs 3:5-6: TURST IN THE LORD WITH ALL THINE HEART; AND LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL THY WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS.

Ruth lived in San Antonio for many years before relocating to Amarillo and then on to Ft. Madison, Iowa in support of her husband's ministry and employment with the Atomic Energy Commission and the Iowa Army Ammunition facilities. Ruth, along with her husband, Rev. Willard James Laster, Sr. relocated back to Marshall in 1979.

On Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 6:15 PM, she passed from time to eternity in the comfort of her home in the presence of God and her family.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Rev. Willard James Laster, Sr. (09/2017); her parents, Rev. Jobie Williams and Corrie Lister Williams; brothers, J. C. Williams, Sr., Roy Williams, Allen Williams, Jobie Williams, Jr.; and one sister, Blondell Walker.

Ruth is survived by three sons, Rev. Willard James (Lora) Laster, Jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas, Frank (Denice) Laster of Marshall, Texas and Rev. Dale (Delores) Laster of Marshall, Texas; four sisters, Alma Flowers of Marshall, Texas, Essie Russell Williams of Hallsville, Texas, Carrie Lee Taylor of San Antonio, Texas and Joan Smith of Longview, Texas; 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 2 great, great grandchildrens, other relatives and friends.