Ruth Ann Canterbury Adams passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 in Houston, TX. Ruth was born December 22, 1936 in Ada, Oklahoma to Edwin and Ruth Morris Canterbury. Ruth was a long-time resident of the Deer Creek and Edmond communities until her move to Cypress, TX in 2011.
Ruth grew up in Ada, graduating from Ada High school in 1954. After high school graduation Ruth began her long career in nursing by attending and graduating from Shannon School of Nursing in San Angelo, TX in 1957.
Ruth’s nursing career first took her to the Pacific Northwest. Ruth’s daughters grew up hearing stories of her adventures in the Pacific Northwest, especially of her days working at the hospital in Yosemite National Park. Her daughters had the privilege of accompanying Ruth to Yosemite in 2012 to see for themselves the places they had heard so much about.
Ruth returned to Oklahoma in 1960 where she married A.C. Adams on December 26, 1960 in Ada, Oklahoma. Ruth continued working in the nursing field and in 1971 earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Central State University so that she could become a school nurse. She worked as a school nurse in Oklahoma City Public Schools and Edmond Public Schools for many years. She loved working in the schools and touched the lives of thousands of Edmond students and families. In 1984 she was named the School Nurses of Oklahoma School Nurse of the Year. She served on many state and local committees in support of school and community health. Ruth retired from Edmond Pubic Schools as a school nurse in 1993.
During her retirement years Ruth continued to serve her community. She volunteered with Edmond Mobile Meals, Red Cross/Salvation Army Disaster Relief Program, and served as a Stephen Minister. She was also very active in her church, serving as a leader and volunteer. In 2010 Ruth and A.C. Moved to Cypress, TX to be near their grandchildren. She continued her volunteer work and activity in her church, but her focus was spending time with her grandchildren and attending their many music and sporting activities. Her interest and support of her grandchildren’s activities did not diminish when they went to college.
Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband A.C. Adams and her parents Ed Canterbury and Ruth Morris Canterbury, and brother Eddie “Butch” Canterbury. She is survived by her daughter Lisa Adams and daughter Carla Adams Mackey and her husband Doug. Also, two grandchildren, Samantha Mackey and Adam Mackey, who were her pride and joy. She is also survived by sister-in-law Glenda Pannell and her husband John, nephew Keith Pannell and niece Lora Pannell Sladovnik and numerous cousins.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Noon at Rosedale Cemetery in Ada, OK. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Edmond Trinity Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Edmond Mobile Meals, From the Vine Ministries (Cypress, TX), or a a charity of your choice.
