Anita Ruth Longshore's Obituary
Anita Ruth Moore Longshore, of Mesquite, Texas, passed away on February 3, 2026, at the age of 99.
Anita was born in Campbell, Texas, on June 16, 1926, to O.E. and Ruth Moore. She grew up in Winnsboro, Texas, where she was an active member of First Baptist Church and served as church pianist. She graduated from Winnsboro High School where she was a cheerleader and drum majorette.
Anita attended Baylor University where she met the love of her life, Bob Longshore. They were married for 75 years at the time of his passing. She graduated from Baylor in 1947 with a degree in History, English, and Education and later earned a Master's of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While at Baylor, she was a member of Alpha Chi, Pi Gamma Mu, Kappa Delta Pi, Pi Alpha Lambda, International Relations Club, and the East Texas Club.
Serving alongside Bob as he pastored Texas churches in Heidenheimer, College Station, and Littlefield brought Anita immense joy. She was the quintessential pastor's wife, as she was a people person who was genuinely interested in everyone she met. When she met someone new, it never took her long to uncover something that they had in common and she never forgot that special detail. But mainly, she was a family person who loved her family deeply. She was never happier than when her family was all together sharing a meal around the table.
After moving to Dallas for Bob's job, Anita began teaching at Shands Elementary School in Mesquite, Texas, in 1967 where she taught fifth grade until her retirement in 1986. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, was awarded a lifetime membership in the PTA by the Mesquite PTA, and was a member of the Mesquite Education Association even after her retirement. Anita cared about the success of her students and built lasting friendships with other teachers and her administrators, some enduring until the day she passed.
She was a faithful member of Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church in Dallas for nearly 60 years.
Anita was preceded in death by her parents, O.E. and Ruth Moore; her beloved husband, Bob; and grandson-in-law, Darin Peterson. She is survived by daughter Catherine Rendon of Mesquite; daughter Faith Houston of Sunnyvale and husband Steve; and daughter Deanna Harrison of Denver, Colo., and husband Scott; grandchildren, Andreana Peterson, Josh (Carrie) Houston, Judson (Deanna) Houston, Melanie (Blake) Fulenwider, and Jonathan (Danielle) Harrison; great-granddaughter Ella Houston and great-grandsons William Harrison, James Fulenwider, Alexander Harrison, and a great-grandson due in July; nieces Jean Cagle and Lisa Channel and nephews Ray (Carolyn) Longshore Jr., Jim (Joan) Bowman, and Don (Sue) Osburn; and close family friends Roopa and Paul Dearing.
Visitation will be Thursday, February 19, at 9:30 AM at Restland Funeral Home Wildwood Chapel, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, with a memorial service immediately following at 10:30 AM.
Burial will be on Friday, February 20, at 10:00 AM at the DFW National Cemetery.
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