Ruth E. Potts

Ruth E. Potts passed away on January 2, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was born to Edna Mary Lloyd and Robert Edward Oldham in a two-story farmhouse near Walnut, Kansas on September 13, 1920, the youngest in a family of three boys and nine girls and the last survivor of that family. As mom often said, her Mama being a good Christian woman and a devout reader of the Bible named her from the story of Ruth and Naomi in the book of Ruth. Mom's father had been a prospector and a miner in Colorado and Arizona, and then a farmer in Kansas. Around 1925 he became a land speculator in Florida and Ruth moved there as a young child with her family. Her parents had a house on the Tamiami Trail, a highway still called that but now incorporated within U.S. Highway 41. Her father's speculation in orange groves failed with the great financial crash of 1929. After that, life was hard. Everyone had to improvise the best they could by sewing clothes from flour sacks, maintaining gardens for food, knowing which herbs were medicinal when sickness struck. Mom knew hard work and how to take care of herself, qualities that aided her throughout her life. In 1934 their Florida house burned down, precipitating a move back to Kansas and then to Tulsa. There, she met her future husband, Paul Potts, and they began dating in high school. Although Paul was only making $12/week as an usher at a movie theatre, he was also attending business college and on June 3, 1938 they eloped to Sapulpa where they got a Baptist preacher out of bed and were married. From that union came two sons, Paul Jerry and Ronnie Ray. In 1944 Paul joined the Navy and the family moved to a naval base in Seattle, Washington. Upon Paul's discharge in 1946, the family moved to Plainview, Texas for Court Reporter's school, then to Marysville, Kansas and eventually to Wichita, KS, where both Paul and Ruth worked as certified court reporters. While there she became the 1958 Mrs. Kansas, thus demonstrating her attractive demeanor and homemaking skills, taking first place in sewing. In 1967 Paul and Ruth moved back to Tulsa, Oklahoma, which they considered their hometown. Mom cherished her long-time membership at Asbury United Methodist Church and the many friends she made there. She accompanied other members on nine Mission trips, from Guatemala to Alaska, again using her marvelous skills, especially sewing and crafts. Ruth was also a member of the Rock Hound Club in Tulsa and became very proficient in jewelry making. She had been an avid golfer for much of her adult life and played bridge nearly to the end. Ruth was predeceased by Paul, her husband of nearly 60 years, her beloved son Ronnie and all of her siblings. Ruth is survived by her son Paul (wife Sharon); her daughter-in-law Jeri Sue; eight grandchildren, Mike Potts, David Potts, Chris Potts, Lisa Kanda, Kevin Dutton, Sherie Beckman, Darren Dutton and Shannon Newby, their spouses and significant others, as well as sixteen great grandchildren. She also leaves her dear sister-in-law Billie Jo Rech and several nieces and nephews. Her strength inspired us all and we will sorely miss her. In lieu of flowers, send donation to Global Mission Fund at Asbury United Methodist Church. Memorial service will be 10:30 A.M., Saturday, January 7, 2017 at Asbury United Methodist Church-Mason Chapel, 6767 S. Mingo, Tulsa, OK 74133. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233

Ruth E. Potts

September 13, 1920 - January 2, 2017