Ruth Helpert West

Ruth Helpert West, 79, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, was called to her eternal resting place on January 31, 2024, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Ruth was born on September 13, 1944, in Robstown, TX to John and Barbara Witzsche Helpert. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her, but especially by her family who loved her dearly. 

Ruth graduated high school from St. John's Catholic School in Robstown, Texas in 1963. Soon after, she met Carroll, the love of her life, and they were married December 10, 1966, in Vattmann, TX. At 22, Ruth took on the responsibility of raising Carroll's 4 young children, and later, his nephew and loved them all as her own. They soon added 2 daughters to the mix and made the family complete. Mama Ruth and Daddy Carroll loved their family, and some of their most cherished times were spent on vacation at the beach, dancing and enjoying their kids and grandchildren. 

Carroll and Ruthie formed a partnership in marriage and in business, owning and operating many lines of businesses in Kingsville and Loyola Beach. The Lady Ruth, the shrimp boat that proudly bore her name, was a major part of the West shrimping industry. This boat provided the product that perhaps most people knew her for- the owner and operator of the West Bait Stand. Every weekend, Mama Ruth was up early with her grandchildren, who eagerly took turns dipping live bait to the many Coastal Bend sports fishermen hoping to catch their trophy trout or red. If the flag was flying, Ruthie and the kids were up and ready to sell some bait. 

Carroll and Ruthie also owned and managed a wholesale fish house, Baffin Fishermen, where they purchased fish from many of the commercial fishermen in the area and helped supply fresh black drum to most of the southern United States. On any given day, Ruthie would sell thousands of pounds of fish to the seafood markets that provided the fish to your favorite restaurants. 

Ruthie was known by many in the industry to be a tough woman that could outwork some of the men. Not opposed to hard work, Ruthie would often be found on the back deck of the shrimp boat as a deck hand, running her own trot lines, or filleting fish. She even earned a place in the 4th grade Texas History book, as one of the women who helped build the fishing industry in Texas. 

Ruth was preceded in death by her son, Tim Zahn; parents; her brothers, Leon Helpert and wife Mary; Tommy Helpert and wife Jeannette; and brother-in-law, Wilson Martin.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Carroll West; and their children: sons, Coby West and Craig West (Lisa); along with 4 daughters, Cydne Reynolds (Bob), Carla West, Cathy Borden (Nathan), and Christy Griffith (Doug); daughter-in-law, Sara Zahn. She is also survived by one brother, Freddy Helpert (Marsha); and sister-in-law, June Martin. Mama Ruth had 16 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

A memorial gathering will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, Kingsville, TX; with a prayer service to begin at 3:00 p.m. Services will conclude that evening.