Ruth Adeane Stringham Fortel, 97, passed away on Saturday, August 20, 2016 in Locust Grove, Oklahoma.

She was the daughter of Rev. Dr. Sidney E. And Margaret Stringham. She was a graduate of Beaumont High School in St. Louis, Mo. and MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois.

A talented musician and artist, she served in Illinois and Missouri as a public school teacher, early childhood specialist, director/ owner of a preschool, church organist and choir director. She had her first piano recital at the age of 4, and composed her first song as a senior in high school (1936). She began painting at the age of 90.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth E. Fortel, her sister, Jeanne Brownlie, her grandson, J. Ryan Yocom. She is survived by her daughter, Carol A Yocom, Locust Grove, two sons, Larry L Yocom (Rena), Edgerton, Ks, and K. Craig Fortel, Tulsa, a granddaughter, Joy Yocom Gulley, (Michael Trammel), Edgerton, Ks, and three great grandchildren, Tanner, Gage, and Lindsey Gulley. She is also survived by a nephew, Arthur Brownlie (Barbara), and two nieces, Barbara Rhein (Joe) and Nancy Marts (David), all in Arizona. The family circle also includes, Gary Hall, Kansas City, Anthony Lenhart, Tulsa.

Service of celebration of life for Ruth Fortel will be Saturday, September 3, in the Rose Chapel, Boston Ave United Methodist Church. Officiating will be Rev. David Wiggs and Rev. Rena Yocom . Internment will be in National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Memorials may be sent to Boston Ave United Methodist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma.