Ruth M. Aylor Sparks

Entered into eternity with her Savior, Jesus Christ, December 9, 2013, at Autumn Grove Cottage, Humble TX. Ruth was born March 22, 1916 in Springfield, MO, to Clyde and May DeGraffenreid. The family moved to Oklahoma where Ruth graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a B.S. degree and began teaching in the Seminole School District. She married Leon Aylor, August 18, 1940. The couple spent time in the Air Force, settling at Tinker Air Force Base to raise their two sons. Ruth taught in the Mid-Del School District for 29 years, teaching at Midwest City High School, Sooner Rose Elementary, and lastly teaching home economics at Monroney Middle School. Once retired, Ruth was active in the Retired Teachers Association. She was also a charter member and past president of the Lilac Garden Club and a member of the Midwest City Garden Council.

The Aylors were charter members of First Baptist Church, Midwest City until 1962 when the family helped establish a mission church which became Meadowood Baptist. When Leon Aylor died in 1969, Ruth helped form a singles department at Meadowood. She later married A.J. Sparks in 1976. Ruth remained active in the church, enjoying the JOY group and other activities for almost 50 years.

Ruth will be remembered as a loving, faithful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She "fought the good fight, finished her course and kept the faith". She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, her husbands and an infant son. Ruth is survived by her sons, D.Lynn Aylor, of Midwest City; Gary L. Aylor and wife, Joyce of Humble, TX; her grandchildren, Christie Kassal and husband, Rick of Flower Mound, TX; Brian Aylor, of Moore, OK; Bradley Aylor and wife Kellie of Owasso, OK; Steven Aylor and wife, Kathryn of Cumming, GA; Amy Peterson and husband, Matthew of Richmond, TX; her great-grandchildren, Casey and Blake Kassel; Ava and Olivia Aylor; Addison, Andrew and Austen Aylor; Braxton and Nash Aylor.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Sunday, December 15, 2013 at Paylor Funeral Home, Midwest City.

Services will be Monday, December 16, 2013 at 10 a.m. at Meadowood Baptist Church with burial at Resthaven Cemetery in Shawnee, OK. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to Meadowood Baptist.