Ella “Ruth” LaCoste, 93, of Sweet Home, Oregon passed away Tuesday, peacefully at home under hospice care.

Ruth was born in Loxley, Alabama; the daughter of Henry Columbus and Ella Virginia (Dunn) Devine. She was the seventh child of nine children.

Ruth graduated from Murphy High School in Mobile, Alabama in 1940. In December 1941, she met James Anthony LaCoste. On February 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. Then they settled in Sweet Home.

In her early years, Ruth 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 Catholic Church and Royal Neighbors of America.

The family would like to thank Ken and Barbara LaCoste for lovingly taking care of Mom for more than four years. They also want to thank Hospice for their care in her final days.

Ruth is survived by: sons James A. LaCoste, Jr., Kenneth J. LaCoste, and Richard S. LaCoste; sister Alice Juanita Harbin; 11 grandkids, 24 great grandkids and 6 great great grandkids. She was preceded in death by her husband on September 18, 1989.

A recitation of the Rosary will be at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, September 26, at St. Helen Catholic Church in Sweet Home. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Gilliland Cemetery.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.