Ruth Ann Carter Wallace was born April 3, 1932, in El Reno, Oklahoma to pioneer parents Juanita Edith Tomlinson Carter and John Carter. She was preceded in death by her parents and her four siblings: Burch, David, John, and sister Helen Carter Hawkins. Ruth graduated from El Reno High School in 1951 and went on to study and graduate from Oklahoma A & M University in 1955 (aka – OSU), where she met her husband, Glen K. Wallace in a geology class. Ruth and Glen married 63 years ago on Christmas Eve 1955.
Ruth had a long and much enjoyed career in education. She began her twenty-six-year teaching career in North Kansas City, Missouri and then moved to Columbus, Georgia when the military asked Glen to report to Fort Benning. She also taught elementary children in several Oklahoma City schools including Gatewood, John Glenn, and Council Grove.
She was also active in her community as a volunteer for the OKC Civic Music Association, Good Shepherd Ministries, and tutoring children at Emerson School. When Glen and Ruth moved to Georgia, they attended the First Baptist Church, where Ruth was baptized. When they returned to Oklahoma, Ruth and Glen attended Council Road Baptist Church in Bethany and are long-time members of First Baptist Church in downtown Oklahoma City.
On September 22, 2015 Ruth had a severe stroke losing the use of her right arm and leg and became bedfast. However, she retained her wonderful mind and was able to remain in her home with Glen. Thanks to the sacrificial love of her daughter, Carol, many wonderful caregivers, and hospice care, she was able to maintain a relatively enjoyable lifestyle up until her passing on April 15, 2019.
Ruth is survived by her husband, Glen, her four children and their spouses Becky Fedor (Bob), Craig Wallace (Martha), Carol Dyer (Paul), and Julie Randolph, as well as ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Without doubt, Ruth’s family, immediate and extended, was the most important part of her very full live.
The Lord guided Ruth Ann to make a mark in her walk of 87 years on earth before going to meet with Jesus. We miss her and look forward to the day when we will all be together again. She has left a legacy that we will never forget. We will all carry her love with us as long as we live and attempt to impart her compassion to others as she would want.
Donation may be made to Good Shepherd Ministry at First Baptist Church.
Visitation will be Thursday, April 18, 2019 from 1-8 with family receiving guests from 6-8 pm. Service to celebrate her life will be 1:00 pm, Friday, April 19, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City with entombment to follow at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery.
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