Opal Ruth Retherford McCoy was born June 9, 1930 to Thomas and Francis Tibbett Retherford in Delta, Colorado and went to join the love of her life on October 10, 2016 at the home of her daughter Darlene, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Ruth went to school in Cushing, Oklahoma and was joined in marriage to Johnie Edward McCoy on March 1, 1947 by Uncle Bob Tibbett in his home. To this union five children were born, Daniel Lee, Gladys Louise, Joyce Darlene, Patsy Ruth and Grace Elizabeth. Ruth was baptized into the Church of the Firstborn by Brother Johnny Case at Cushing, Oklahoma in McLary’s Lake on October 27, 1944.

One of momma’s greatest joys was her family. Johnie & Ruth lived for over 50 years east of Tryon. Sold their farm and moved to Perkins where they resided until daddy’s death and mom’s declining health. Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband Johnie on March 9, 2004, a week after their 57th Anniversary.

Momma and Daddy hosted many young kids outings while raising their family. Our family was taught hospitality by example. We always had brethren in our home, either for a meal or an extended stay, as we were growing up.

Ruth was very involved in her children’s lives as they grew up, from attending sporting events, class suppers and being a 4-H leader, pusher for a good cause. Ruth, a stay at home mom, raised a big garden, chickens and milked cows to feed the growing family. The older children remember having 500 baby chickens in the living room one spring, by the potbellied stove to keep them alive because the electricity went off. Momma was also very active in the Home Demonstration Clubs serving as officers for eight years at the local and county levels. At fair time we would all bring home many awards. Momma loved to sew and crochet. She had quilted most of the grandchildren quilts for when they got married and had proceeded to make baby quilts for the great-grand’s. In the last few months mom remembered how to hand sew which was a joy to us girls.

Besides her husband Johnie, Ruth was also preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Francis, rwelve brothers and sisters, father and mother-in-law, Paul and Grace McCoy, son, Daniel McCoy, daughter-in-law, Kathy McCoy and grandson, John Seaburn.

Those left to cherish her memories are her children, Louise and Chuck Pickering of Vici, Oklahoma, Darlene and Bob Dierburger of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Patsy and Dale Bateson of Perkins, Oklahoma Gracie Gibby of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Jamie McCoy of Midwest City, Oklahoma, eleven grandchildren, Sheila and Ryan Bellew of Guymon, Oklahoma, Shellee and Aron Fenton of Overland Park, Kansas, Ed and Raylene Hobbs of Tryon, Oklahoma, Curtis and Tyanna Bateson of Perkins, Oklahoma, Mary and Eric Ratliff of Bedford, Indiana, Felicia and Trent Herrmann of Pleasant View, Colorado, Allen Bateson of Stillwater, Oklahoma Jason McCoy and friend Mirannda of Midwest City, Oklahoma, Sarah McCoy of Denver, Colorado, Chris and Charlotte Swindell of Denver, Colorado and Andrew and Venessa Swindell of Tulsa, Oklahoma, twenty two great-grandchildren, Maggie and Molly Bellew, Anndrea and husband Ryan Osmus, Crandel, Christopher, Kathryn and Lauren Fenton, Breanna and Ethan Hobbs, Brock, Boone and Brylee Bateson, Gage and Chole Seaburn, Zane and Silas Herrmann, Joshua and Gabriella Bateson, and Macyn, Eli and Emry Ratliff and Blake Swindell, many brother and sister-in-law’s, nieces, nephews, her church family and a host of friends.

Services have been entrusted to the Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Perkins, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Perkins Church of the Firstborn with Burial at the Parkland Cemetery beside her beloved Johnie.

Visitation will be held at the Perkins Funeral Home on Thursday, October 13, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, October 14, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and family will be greeting friends on Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

In Lieu of flowers you can give to Judith Karman Bristol Hospice, 915 S Main Downtown, Stillwater, Oklahoma 405-377-8012.