RUBY “MINTA” (ALLISON) STAUDENMAYER

1922-2018

Minta was born May 9, 1922, in Houston, Texas, and died there March 11, 2018. She was the eldest of four children of Sid and Ruby Allison. Like many native Houstonians, her father worked in the oilfields and such families moved often. During her youth, Minta attended schools in towns near Houston-- Daisetta, Missouri City and Angleton, where she was graduated. However, her best years were at Missouri City, Texas, where she made enduring friendships, something hard for her as she was very shy due to a lifelong, severe hearing loss at a time when help for that handicap was limited. It was through the heroic efforts of her parents that she learned to talk, and with the cooperation of dedicated teachers throughout her formative years that helped her to thrive.

After high school, with the efforts of a family member, she was encouraged to take a watch-making course, which she did. Then, through another family member and a friend, she was given space in a local barbershop to repair watches. Whether due to her skill or good looks, probably both, business was good. However, Minta soon heard from yet another family member that they were hiring women at Ellington Field; in 1942 she applied and became one of the first women to work there, using her watchmaking skill to repair WWII aircraft instrument panels.

It was from these beginnings, the advances in hearing-aid technology, and her own perseverance that Minta was able to carve out a normal and interesting life for herself. She was well traveled and lived many places, but always called Houston home. She was married three times, divorced once and widowed twice. Minta is predeceased by son, Douglas Brown; husbands, A.P. Towne and Bill Staudenmayer; sister, Betty Cawlfield; brother, Gerry Allison. She is survived by grandson, Danny Brown; great granddaughter, Klover Brown; sister, Phyllis Bouldin; three nieces and three nephews. Minta’s family is especially grateful to the kind and gentle staff at Clarewood House for their care during the waning years of her life.

Since Minta had chosen to be cremated with no service, her family will gather to honor her at a date to be determined.