Ruth Marie Ray, 86, of Midwest City, died peacefully, June 11 at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital (MWC) with loved ones by her side and in the continuing presence of the Creator.
Born July 21, 1926 in Wetumka, OK, she was the youngest of five children of Charles Malcome and Florence Myrtle (Collins) Conner. In 1946 she married Earnest Buford Young. After moving to Weleetka, their son Phillip was born, and in 1950 they moved to Midwest City, where she resided for 28 years.
Years later Ruth returned to Wetumka and for nearly 25 of those she was married to Jerry Alexander Ray. Her final 5 years were again spent in Midwest City. Her mother and father were founding members of the Methodist Church in Wetumka. She was an active, lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, both in Wetumka and at Wickline in Midwest City. Ruth was always ecumenical, with an open spirit that branched out with good will to all in her local community and beyond her doors to the rest of the world. She was a planter and caretaker of flowers, both outside and in. Cannas and jonquils, honeysuckle and snowball bushes lined her yards. Sweet potato vines spread along her deck and into her kitchen. She created elaborate needlepoint often as gifts, with phrases of welcome and the importance of being friends.
Ruth had a keen sense of design, decorating various areas of her home, often changing them according to the season and holidays. Collections of chickens and elephants produced menageries of all sizes and materials. When her sister Jewette died, she became the matriarch who maintained the annual Christmas dinner and who supported her nieces and nephews in so many ways.
Ruth was predeceased by her parents, her four siblings (Fannie Fulmer, Roy and Otto Conner, Jewette Dunn), and both of her husbands. She is remembered with great love and affection by her son, Phillip Young, daughter-in-law, Hannelore Young, grandchildren, Courtney Young Hallman and husband Jeremy, Caitlyn Young and Benjamin Young, nieces Kelly Lee, Colleen Raulston, nephews Harve, Harry and Larry Dunn, cousins Lester, Carol, and Robert Fulmer, other extended family including Kim Ray and Pam Williams, and many close friends.
A service of remembrance and thanksgiving will be held Thursday, June 20, 2:00 at Wetumka United Methodist Church with interment in the Wetumka Cemetery. A reception will follow at the church. This statement by John Wesley applies to her: "Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can." In that spirit, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions in Ruth"s memory can be made to the United Methodist Church, Wetumka, OK or to a charity of your choice. We also wish to thank Dr. Truong and the hospital staff at Oklahoma Heart Hospital, South for their compassionate care and respect.
