Celia Anne Ruff

~ Matthew 25:21 (NIV)

A good and faithful servant of God, Celia Anne Ruff, age 86, went home to be with Him on May 14, 2026. Celia was born to Curtis and Charlene Jarratt on September 28, 1939, in Lovington, New Mexico. Curtis was a band director, music store owner, and a farmer in Hobbs, New Mexico. Celia grew up in a Christian home and attended the Methodist church for a while until her daddy decided to join the Baptist church. Celia and her daddy were both baptized on the same day in 1954. She led a long life of faith, serving in various Christian ministries, many of which involved music. At an early age, she learned to play the piano and was very involved in piano recitals and contests throughout her childhood. In sixth grade, she joined the band and played the flute.

Celia met her first husband James (Jim) Cain at Eastern New Mexico University. Jim was an Army veteran and captain of the ENMU football team. They married on December 20, 1959, in Hobbs and then lived in ENMU’s married housing for military veterans called “Vetville” until Jim graduated that following Spring. After graduation, they moved to Seagraves, Texas, where Jim started his first football coaching job. Celia was the ultimate coach’s wife for many years, attending every game and cheering on Jim’s teams in Seagraves, Idalou, Sudan, Grapevine, and Sunray, Texas. Celia and Jim had three children, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

After losing Jim to illness in 1996, Celia was blessed three years later with a second husband, Arthur (Art) Ruff of Rockwall, Texas. Art was a retired businessman who worked for Sears and Roebuck most of his career. Art and Celia enjoyed their retired years traveling to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, California, and more. By marrying Art, Celia gained many more family members, including three daughters, five grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren.

In 2017, Celia and Art moved to Concordia Life Plan Community in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and were active in both Concordia’s resident life and their church home, Metropolitan Bible Church. In 2018, Celia lost Art to Alzheimer’s, and after a debilitating fall in 2025, she moved into her daughter’s home where she spent her last 8 months enjoying visitors, eating out, going for wheelchair rides in the park, watching her great-grandchildren play, going to movies and musical theater performances, and attending Waterloo Road Baptist church.

Throughout her life, Celia was a devoted wife and mom, a school secretary, a piano teacher, a church and school accompanist, a Bible study teacher, and a mentor to young coaches’ wives. She suffered numerous trials in her life, but Celia testified near the end that it was her faith in Christ and God’s provision that sustained her through the good and bad. Everyone who met Celia learned quickly that her heart was as beautiful as her smile.

Celia was preceded in death by her parents, Curtis and Charlene Jarratt, and her two husbands, Jim Cain and Art Ruff. She is survived by her three children and their spouses Curt Cain and wife Karen of Kennesaw, Georgia, Jim T. Cain and wife Tracie of Decatur, Texas, and Christie Cain Smith and husband Mike of Edmond, Oklahoma; her grandchildren Taylor Cain and wife Maddie of Lubbock, Texas, Haley Cain Melikian and husband Laine of Bridgeport, Texas, Jay Cain and wife Rachel of Westworth Village, Texas, Aaron Smith of The Woodlands, Texas, Casie Smith Wall and husband Kenny of Edmond, Oklahoma, Jordan Cain and wife Avery of Dallas, Georgia, and Austin Cain of Kennesaw, Georgia; and her great-grandchildren Emery, Nora, Luke, Carter, Hattie, Hayes, Truett, and Emma.

Celia’s favorite Scripture passage was Psalm 139:1-6:

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Advantage Funeral Services, and Celia’s Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at Waterloo Road Baptist Church, 3100 E Waterloo Rd, Edmond, OK 73034. Flowers may be sent to the church, or in lieu of flowers, charitable gifts may be given in Celia’s name to one of the following organizations: (linked below)

Waterloo Road Baptist Church, Edmond, OK

Concordia Life Plan Community, Oklahoma City, OK

Metropolitan Bible Church, Oklahoma City, OK

North Metro Church, Marietta, GA

Grace Fellowship Church, Paradise, TX