Ruth Church Stewart

Ruth Church Stewart, age 88, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2024, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Ruth was born on May 23, 1936 in the small town of Turnersburg, North Carolina to Robert and Edra Church. An extraordinarily devoted and caring wife and mother, Ruth leaves behind a legacy of family dedication and togetherness.

Ruth grew up in a farming family and developed remarkable skills during her childhood. Along with working the family farm gathering and canning vegetables, milking cows, minding the hen house and picking cotton, she also became an exceptional southern cook and a master seamstress. Ruth graduated from Harmony High School in 1954, most proud of her accomplishment in varsity basketball as a star player at guard. After high school, Ruth met Jerry Stewart while interviewing for a job at a local manufacturing company. They married on December 25, 1955, beginning a 62 year journey together that included four children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Ruth was a proud military wife, helping move the family and setting up new households, enrolling kids in new schools and activities and attending social events required of Navy spouses. Ruth spared no effort in raising her family, carrying out daily chores and attending school events, sporting events and extracurricular activities, always after a full day at work. The family took vacations to the beach and mountains. Eventually, University of Oklahoma football games became a treasured family event, often with Ruth providing tailgating fare for all.

Everywhere they moved, Ruth always found herself a new job, holding various office positions during her working career. She typically became the ‘go to’ office assistant entrusted with getting things done. When Jerry was transferred to Oklahoma in 1974, Ruth landed a clerical position at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Department of Family Medicine. As the Family Medicine program grew, Ruth was instrumental in helping build up the practice on the OU campus from within. During her 24 year employment, Ruth moved up in the ranks and proudly ended her career in 1998 after serving for many years as the Business Manager for the OUHSC Department of Family Medicine.

After retirement, Ruth and Jerry became avid RVers, enjoyed trips back home to the Carolinas, attended annual reunions from Jerry’s Navy days on a ship, and had a woodworking business making and selling various items at local art shows. Still, spending time with the immediate family was their favorite activity. Life was filled with family get togethers at holidays, birthdays, weddings, new births and any other excuse for a party.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, her mother and father, and six siblings. She is survived by her four children, Robin Ringo (Jim), Anne Garcia (Jerry), Danny Stewart (Kathy) and Leigh Keith (Tim); four grandchildren, Jen Dawson, Will Ringo (Katie), James Ringo (Ashley) and Sam Keith (Genna); two great grandchildren, Kimberly and Stevie Keith; two sisters; and a host of nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

In remembrance of Ruth, there will be visitation on Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Sunny Lane Funeral Home, 4000 Se 29th Street, Del City, OK 73115. A funeral service will occur Friday, July 12, 2024,at 10:00 am with burial to follow at Sunny Lane Cemetery.