 West Hill Cemetery Sherman, Texas  Herald Democat January 7-8, 2016 SHERMAN, Texas - Local community leader and business owner, Ruth A. "Honey" Minshew died January 5, 2016 after a four year battle with cancer. Services will be held at First Baptist Church Sherman on Saturday afternoon, January 9, 2016, with Dr. Mike Lawson and Rev. Steve Rice conducting. Burial was a private ceremony at West Hill Mausoleum. Honey requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Austin College, First Baptist Church Sherman, or the Women's Gift Exchange. Honey was born March 23, 1941 to Dr. William and Ruth Altman. She grew up in Dallas, Texas, attending Hockaday School and graduating from Sunset High in 1959. She enrolled in Austin College and received her degree in elementary education in 1963. She was also married in 1963 to Robert W. Minshew, a recent graduate of the SMU School of Law, whom she met at Austin College. Honey accompanied Robert on his tour of duty with the Marine Corps, living first in Quantico, Virginia where she taught first grade. Then to Kailua, Hawaii where she taught second grade. While in Hawaii, Honey and Robert had a son, Marshall. Upon their return to Sherman, Texas, daughter Monica was born. Honey excelled at interior decorating and began a career in 1973, establishing Petite Fleur Interiors and Design. She worked for hundreds of clients decorating homes and businesses in Sherman, Denison, Dallas, Santa Fe, New Mexico and San Francisco, California. She loved beautiful things and had a gift store in Sherman for twenty years, until retiring. She then continued her creative entrepreneurial efforts and helped establish the Women's Gift Exchange, a non-profit entity that contributes all of its profits to local charities. Through the Women's Gift Exchange she established many close relationships with the volunteers. Honey was always looking for ways to improve her home, community, church, and Austin College. She served as president of the Austin College Alumni Association, served over twelve years on the Austin College Board of Trustees and was honored as a distinguished alumna by the college. She organized the Sisters of Service (SOS) for Sherman High School girls which is still active today, sponsored by the Sherman Service League. She served as president of the Grayson Rehabilitation Center board and was selected as a lifetime member of the center. She was a charter member and principal organizer of the Sherman Preservation League. Honey was always active in her church, serving on numerous committees. For her community service, she was recognized by the Sherman Chamber of Commerce by receiving the ATHENA Award. One shining example of her design talents is Kelly Square in downtown Sherman. In 1983, there were vacant buildings where J.C. Penney was previously located fifteen years prior. Honey's vision was to purchase the vacant buildings and create a center for all of Sherman to enjoy and be proud of. She did this and for over 35 years the project has flourished. Honey dearly loved her family. She is survived by Robert, her husband of 52 years, son Marshall of Sherman, daughter Monica Cowsert of Dallas, and grandchildren Emma and Henry Cowsert. She is also survived by her brother William H. Altman of Dallas, Texas, sister-in-law, Betty Mitchell and her husband Mike of Sherman, and many wonderful cousins and extended family members whom she dearly loved.  Minshew dedicated to Sherman downtown, her community By Jerrie Whiteley Herald Democrat Just stepping off Travis Street into Kelly Square in Sherman is sometimes like walking into a painting, whether that be due to the seasonal decorations inside or just the cool air conditioning and the almost surreal atmosphere. On Tuesday, the one-woman powerhouse who turned an old JC Penny building into a downtown destination died after a four-year battle with cancer. Ruth “Honey” Minshew looked at those vacant buildings and saw a place where people could gather to shop and eat and share their lives. That little undertaking took her a year to finish but it has continued to pay great dividends for her community. “The role that Honey and Robert (Minshew) have played in the community and restoring downtown Sherman can’t be overstated: being a part of founding the Sherman Preservation League; restoring Kelly Square — which has become the cornerstone on which downtown’s renaissance has been built; and her generous commitment to Austin College, First Baptist Church, and the many organizations of which she was a part,” Sherman Mayor David Plyer said. “They got down on their hands and knees and worked (on Kelly Square),” said Jeanette Mayhugh of A Touch of Class Antique Mall in downtown Sherman. “She worked hard and loved life.” Her hard work wasn’t limited to Kelly Square or Petite Fleur, her interior design firm or her gift shop at Kelly Square. She also worked hard for her community. Mrs. Minshew was born in Dallas and attended Hockaday School before graduating from Sunset High. Then she came to Sherman at Austin College where she received a degree in elementary education in 1963. Receiving her diploma didn’t end Mrs. Minshew’s attachment to her college, though. She served as president of the Austin College Alumni Association. She also served more than 12 years on the Austin College board of trustees and was honored as a distinguished alumna by the college. “Honey was a blessing to Austin College in many ways for so many decades,” Austin College President Marjorie Hass said. “She was a very faithful member of the Senior board of trustees since 2000 and an extremely active local alumna and donor. We are grateful for her life and service, she will be greatly missed.” While at Austin College, Honey met Robert Minshew. The two married and after traveling while Robert Minshew was in the Marines, they returned to Sherman. He started practicing law and she worked as an interior designer. But work and her family weren’t her only passions. “She had such a heart for service,” said Melida Ailshire. Ailshire said Mrs. Minshew, a longtime member of the Sherman Service League, came up with the idea to branch out to reach younger women. Her brainchild, the Sisters of Service, introduced countless young Sherman High School girls to the idea of community service. “With SOS, Mrs. Minshew was a role model and mentor to over a hundred young women and Sherman Service League members,” said Kelly Ashmore, Sherman Service League executive board president. “If you met her, she would get you involved in the community,” Ailshire said. “She was the comeback kid,” Ailshire said of her friend. “She had great vision.” One of the last things to come out of that vision was the Women’s Gift Exchange in Sherman. It helps women support local charities while shopping for things they wanted or needed for their families. On the WGE’s Facebook page, the group of volunteers who run the exchange said, “She taught us to fly.” Services will be held at First Baptist Church Sherman at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be a private ceremony at West Hill Mausoleum. West Hill Cemetery Elaine Nall Bay ©2013 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message |