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Ruth Margarette Ballard was born April 2, 1922 to Clarence and Cora Bartscht of Shelbyville, IL. Ruth attended Killian Grade School where she received several awards and certificates in attendance, spelling and penmanship.
Ruth loved music which led her to be in several piano recitals, singing duets, shows and playing the violin and Hawaiian guitar. Ruth's father, brother and sister sometimes would perform with her at these events.
In September 1935 Ruth took Jesus as her Lord and Savior and was a member of Westervelt Christian Church. She had the privilege of representing the church at the Young Peoples Conference in Charleston, Illinois. Ruth also served as the Secretary for the State of Illinois Christian Youth Group and also taught a Sunday School Class.
Ruth attended Findley High School and graduated in 1940. She went to work for Sears Roebuck Co. where she met the love of her life William Louis Ballard of Carrolton, IL and were married on December 25, 1941.
Her husband William (Bill) went into the military where he served in the Army
Air Corps. When Bill entered the military he and Ruth were living in Salina, KS
and she went to live with her parents in Shelbyville, IL after Bill was
deployed. He returned from the service on January 5, 1946. They remained in
Illinois where their first daughter Linda Ruth was born on September 22, 1945.
They moved after that to Alva, OK where Bill worked for AC Houston Lumber Co.
and they attended the First Christian Church. Bill was then transferred to the
Panhandle of Texas as a manager. Their second daughter Catherine Viola was born
in Pampa, TX on March 25, 1950. Bill was transferred then to Enid, OK and their
third daughter Melodie Ann was born March 24, 1956. The Ballard's were members
of Central Church in Enid.
While in Enid, Ruth was the Alpha Tri reporter for
the Enid Federation of Mother's Clubs, Program Chair for the XYZ Club and was
very active in Girl Scouts and a leader of a Brownie Troop. She was also active
in her church and with the help of other mothers was able to take grade school
children once a week to Bible School.
The Ballard's moved to Muskogee, OK in 1956. Ruth was active in the Muskogee Hospitality Club, Muskogee Garden Club, To Co Home Extension Club, Shutterbug Camera Club, Newfriend's Club and the Red Hat Boomer Babes Society. She also helped with Sunday school classes, Bible school, Women's Missionary, Christian Education, Jr High youth group and Elder at Bethany Presbyterian Church.
Ruth retired from First National Bank where she was a member of the American Institute of Banking. While there she received the honor of Employee of the Month. Ruth was also a lifetime member of the Muskogee Regional Hospital Auxiliary.
Ruth loved to travel and was in over 36 countries and on every continent but one. She loved to fish, to do arts and crafts and to play several instruments and sing. She was a member of the York Street Christian Church.
Ruth is survived by daughters Linda Wright of Tulsa, Cathy Braudrick and husband Keith of Elbridge, NY and Melodie Wimmer and husband Bryan of Muskogee; eight grandchildren, Michelle Rodriguez and husband Jorge, Stacie Corrigan, Michael Braudrick and wife Rachael, Timothy Braudrick and wife Esther, Stephanie Braudrick, Megan Wright, Matthew Braudrick and spouse Tonje and Erica Braudrick; several great grandchildren, Ashlynn Rodriguez, Riley and Nolan Corrigan, Kristina, Phillip, Marcus, Samantha, Colton, Elijah, Celine, Emmy, Savannah, Vienna and Annika Braudrick.
Graveside service will be held at 11:00 am Friday September 11, 2020 at Greenhill Cemetery with Minister Gene Thompson officiating under the direction of Lescher-Millsap Funeral Home.
Special thanks to Hometown Hospice for the loving care and support you showed our mom. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Hometown Hospice.
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