Alma Ruth Kendrick Russell was born Dec. 20, 1934 in Bennington, Okla. to Cleo Othel and Daniel Cecil Kendrick. She passed to her eternal home on Nov. 8, 2021.
She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Lota Jackson Hughes, Fayna Jackson Lilley, Lanell Jackson Smith, Beulah Kendrick Samford, Mary Lottie Kendrick Wecter and brother Benjamin Kendrick. She is survived by her husband, Dan Russell, sister Lois Jackson Mitchell and brother Harold Jackson.
Ruth graduated from Durant High School in 1952 and in 1954 she married the love of her life, James Daniel Russell. They made their home in Durant where she worked for the Bell Telephone Company for 30 years. She was a devoted wife, loving sister and aunt, loyal friend and humble servant. She delivered Meals on Wheels in Durant and was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church where she served as a Deacon, a Sunday School teacher and greeter for many years. She and Dan loved to travel coast to coast in their RV, making many lifelong friends along the way.
Ruth and Dan did not have any biological children of their own, but they had so many more kids with all their nieces and nephews and half the neighborhood kids. Each one was made to feel they were the most important one in her life. She was the fun Aunt. Our love of playing board games/dominoes comes from time at Aunt Ruthie’s house. We cooked together and laughed together and danced in the living room. Her laugh was contagious. She would play dress up and drive down the drag in Durant and make you think you were cool. We would go to Willow Springs to swim or just sit on her front porch where the neighborhood congregated. She lived life as we all should – to the fullest.
Ruth loved and prayed with all her being, often posting her prayers to lift others up to her Father in Heaven. She loved Dan, Jesus and all her family and friends unconditionally. She had a marriage we all wish for … 67 years together. On this side of paradise, it is sad for all of us, but on the other side of paradise, they are having a celebration – with Ruthie being the life of the party. We all look forward to the day we will see her again.
Arrangements under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Home.