Vada "Ruth" Ford

Vada Ruth Ford (McKee), 90, of Oklahoma City passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Ruth was born in Quinton, OK on September 13, 1934. She was preceded in death by her parents Charles Willie and Maude Lille McKee; siblings Ada, Charles Willis, Minnie Milrea, Bertha Bell, Thelma Novella, James Edward, Eva Lucille, Doris Virginia, and Alice Marie; husband James (Jim) Lewis Ford; sons James Michael Ford and Charles Lewis Ford; and great-grandchildren Prestin Barry, Loreli Callazzo and Locklyn Callazzo. Ruth is survived by her son Kendall Scott Ford of Tulsa; grandchildren Erin Lanelle Ford Ellis (Curtis), Megan Jane (Ford) Walck (Jeremy) of Bristow, Kendall Saer Ford (Ashley) of Sherman, TX, Matthew Scott (Ford) Zonder (Lindsay) of Axtell, TX, James Gregory Ford (Adriana) of Tulsa, Zachary Scott Ford (Lauren) of Tulsa, Jenny Michelle (Ford) Callazzo (Sonny) of Oklahoma City, and Alexandra Ford Kirksey (Matthew) of Oklahoma City; and great-grandchildren Ashlyn Cantu (Jacob), Kylie Gibbs, Keaton Gibbs, Aydan Callazzo, Trystan Callazzo, Hannah Beesley, Matthew Zondor, Lyric Callazzo, Calliope Shaughnessy, Moriah Ellis, Mason Zondor, Jackson Ford, Eisley Ford, Levi Ellis, Ophelia Shaughnessy, Lyam Callazzo, Addison Ford, Grayson Ellis, Harrison Ford, Amelia L. Ford, MacKenzie Zondor, Scarlett Ford, Amelia C. Ford, Alexis Ford, Malachi Zondor, Maverick Zondor, Lyla Callazzo, and Clementine Kirksey.

Ruth was known to be a Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, friend, secretary, saleswoman, volunteer, Sunday School teacher, decorator, floral arranger, seamstress, square dancer, storyteller, author, hostess, antique collector, and fashion show director. Her creative talents spanned sewing her own square dance dresses, sewing matching Easter outfits for her grandchildren, decorating for church and square dance events, arranging centerpieces, teaching her grandchildren color theory and sewing, and writing anonymous articles for various publications before women were allowed to be authors. She was an extensive traveler across the state of Oklahoma with her husband Jim where they sought out various antique treasures such as Himmel figurines, antique car models, Noritake china, McKee pottery, Nancy Drew books and ceramic cookie jars which were displayed throughout her home. She led various committees at work, church, and her square dance association that were frequently focused on hospitality and decoration. In her later days, Ruth enjoyed chatting with her son Scott, watching her favorite TV shows, sitting outside watching the birds, drinking a good cup of coffee, and catching up with her grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at First Baptist Church, 1201 N Robinson Ave, at 1 PM on Monday, January 13. In Ruth’s memory, in lieu of donations, please chew a stick of Big Red gum, admire formal china place settings, arrange some flowers, create a table centerpiece, sew a dress, eat some pimento cheese, crack some shelled pecans, or sit on the front porch and drink a cup of coffee.