Dr. Ruth DePaiva

A funeral service for Dr. Ruth Duarte DePaiva, 85, of Cleburne, will be held at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, April 8, 2023 at Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church.

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the death of Ruth Duarte DePaiva, 85 years, 6 months, and 28 days old. She was born in Nova Europa, Sao Paulo - Brazil. Her parents were Gonçalo and Alice Duarte. She had two sisters, Laura and Noemi.

She peacefully died in her bed at Chisholm Trail Estates Senior Living on March 19th at 1 pm. She passed peacefully to her rest after health challenges in her later years. The cause of death was healthy old age. Ruth was a missionary at heart and served with her husband, Itamar, on four continents (North and South America, Africa, and Asia). Throughout her life, she worked as a schoolteacher, principal, professor, and psychologist and held two doctoral degrees from Andrews University.

She was a fantastic woman who deeply loved the Lord and exceptionally cared for her family. She was a wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was part of many people's lives. Her house was constantly full of people, eating, talking, socializing, and receiving love and care. In addition, she actively served the community by helping students and counseling marriages.

Ruth was preceded in death by her sister, Noemi; her nephew, Elto; her son, Ruimar DePaiva and his wife, Margareth DePaiva; grandson, Larisson DePaiva; and son, Emerson DePaiva.

She is survived by her husband, Itamar DePaiva, of 63 years of marriage; sons, Elimar DePaiva and wife, Raquel DePaiva, Hernan DePaiva and partner, Samuel Smith; daughter-in-law, Silvia DePaiva; grandchildren, Melissa (DePaiva) Gibson and husband, Michael Gibson, Elizabeth DePaiva, Brian DePaiva, and Ramile DePaiva, and great-grandson, Micah Gibson; sister, Laura; nephews, Bill, and Gilmar; nieces, Ellen, Gilda, and Rosineia.

Her life was marked by forgiveness, hospitality, and service. We will be deeply missed. We hope for the imminent return of Jesus Christ and the glorious resurrection.

Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints. Psalms 116:15 NKJ 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on'… "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." Revelation 14:13 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. Revelation 22:12