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Service held for Ruth DeShields

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Service held for Ruth DeShields

Berta Ruth DeShields was born to Marks and Leah Vanarsdall (Durham) on May 26,1923, in Holdenville, Oklahoma. She was raised west of Holdenville and graduated from Holdenville Public Schools, class of 1941. She passed from her earthly to her heavenly home Friday afternoon, May 29, 2020 at the tender age of 97. She was surrounded by her loving family as she made the transition.

She was married to Russell DeShields on June 22, 1946 at the First Baptist Church, Holdenville, and they shared 59 years together until his death in 2006.

Ruth was the librarian for Holdenville Public Library from November, 1969, to October, 1989. She retired and returned to the farm to work side by side with Russell. She was a member of the Atwood Nazarene Church for 74 years, where she held numerous positions. Her love for making quilts has covered all of her family and friends for years. She loved to read and cook and was well known in the community especially for her donuts and fried pies, but her number one reason for living was her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.

Survivors are her sons, Jess (Mick) Durham and wife Nelda of Holdenville, and Gary DeShields and wife Truby of Atwood; daughters, Jennea Youngblood and husband Butch of Holdenville, and Brenda Meeks and husband Chris of Atwood; grandchildren Brian (Karen) Durham of Harrah, Jessica (Mike) Huddleston of Ada, Michael (Gina) Haas of Sand Springs, Kimberly (Quinn) Diede of Parker, Colorado, Jay (Leslie) DeShields of Broken Arrow, Jennifer (Scot) Barker, Ada, Jeremy (Jessica) Beck, Atwood, Kit (Alisha) Wilbanks of Lone Grove, Ladonna Wilbanks of Atwood, Heather (Randy) Mackenzie of Tulsa, and Jamie (Luke) Humphreys of Ada; great-grandchildren Emily Cannon, Matthew Huddleston, Kaylin Haas, Kristin Haas, Carter DeShields, Asher DeShields, Josh Durham, Allison Huddleston, Crew Diede, Aven Diede, Makenna Barker, Brayden Barker, Brooke Schumacher, Audrey Humphreys, Caroline Humphreys, Cade Mackenzie, Blake Mackenzie, and Blue Wilbanks.

Funeral Service were held on Tuesday, June 2 nd , at 10:00 a.m. at the Nazarene Church in Atwood, Oklahoma. COVID-19 regulations will be observed and social distancing.

Pallbearers are grandsons Brian, Michael, Jay, Jeremy, Matthew, and Josh. Honorary pallbearers are Bob Sherry, Walt Sherry, Gary Phillips, Dennis Phillips, Ben Mathis, Glen Boyd, Chris Collins, Larry Haas, Bill Cates, Buddy Thompson, Bob Rivers, Robert Carlton, Buddy Grizzle, Joe Seeley, Tom Spillman and Woodrow Hall.

Services were under the direction of Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home in Holdenville, Oklahoma