Ruth Ann Thurman

Ruth Ann Thurman passed away peacefully Thursday, March 22, 2018 but, that’s not what her family really wants you to know about this gentle, caring woman. She drew her first breath in Pawhuska, Oklahoma on August 26, 1932. Her mother and father, Virgil and Dorothy Campbell Thurman were already the parents of two rowdy red-haired sons and Ruth Ann’s wavy locks followed suit. She began her early education in Pawhuska and then the family business moved to Bartlesville and eventually on to Borger, Texas where the company was sent by Phillips 66. Ruth Ann finished her public schooling in Borger graduating from high school as Class Valedictorian. She attended Frank Phillips Junior College and worked for several years for Southwestern Bell. She was hired by Phillips 66 in Borger and eventually transferred back to Bartlesville where she retired after more than 35 years of service. The above information is only the spine of the book that tells the story of Ruth Ann’s life. She never married but she was never alone. However, she was grateful that she lived long enough that the words “old maid” became passé. She loved animals with a passion. She was in love with Paul Newman from his first movie and she loved to exercise and attended to the gym often. She inherited a special gift when she followed in her father’s footsteps and reveled in all sports from football to baseball to basketball. Everyone who knew Ruth Ann understood her life-long love of sports and marveled at her picture-perfect memory of players, coaches and statistics. She watched college basketball in the hospital until just before she passed away. She loved one other thing as much as she loved a good baseball game and that was being with her family during special occasions and holidays. Attending those good times with her were beloved brothers and their wives Virgil Jr. and Joyce and George and Alayne. She enjoyed time spent with her dear friend who was like a daughter to her - Claudette Walters, her husband John and their two children Jeanette and Brian. She had five nephews of whom she was exceptionally proud and several of them excelled in sports. They include Gary Thurman and his wife, Terry, Darrel Thurman, Paul Estes and his wife, Darla, Steve Barnes and wife, Lori and Brad Barnes and wife, Emilie. Also included were nieces Sylvia Lancaster and Liz Mattix. They were all the delight of her life and she could never brag about any of them enough. Then along came her first great-nephews, Shiloh and Cody Thurman. She was heart-broken at the passing of Cody who died while his own talented life in sports was just beginning to blossom. Shiloh and wife Sarah now have two beautiful daughters of whom Ruth Ann was equally proud. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers George and Virgil Thurman and great-nephew Cody Thurman. Above all, Ruth Ann was a generous woman of faith and her Bible was well-worn. She prayed daily for those she loved, for her family and friends and for peace to reign in the world at last. Ruth Ann was my sister also and my name is Rita Thurman Barnes. My husband, Larry and I, our sister-in-law, Joyce Thurman, friends Claudette and John Walters, long-time friend Lorraine Stigall and our entire family will miss Ruth Ann greatly. But, we are all at peace knowing that she is finally in the presence of the God she loves so much. The family welcomes friends to graveside services, which are being conducted by Stumpff Funeral Home, which are scheduled for 2pm, Friday, March 30th at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make your donations to the tax-deductible Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation, 1100 South Jennings, Bartlesville, OK 74003 or bpsfoundation@bps-ok.org

Ruth Ann Thurman

August 26, 1932 - March 22, 2018