Vinita, OK - Ella Ruth Sledd, 86, died Friday evening at her home in Heartsworth House Independent Living Development, Vinita, Oklahoma. Ella Ruth was born January 27, 1921 in McKinney, Texas to Hubbard Kerr and Hope (Pendergrass) Kerr. Hubbard Kerr was a cotton buyer and moved his family to Pratt, Alabama; Sand Springs, Oklahoma and McKinney, Texas and later, to Muskogee, Oklahoma, where Ella Ruth met Claude Sledd at a party given by Mildred Asquith. She and Claude married and raised their family in the house next door to where they had met forty years ago. During World War II, Claude and Ella Ruth lived in California, Florida, Idaho and Georgia. She followed Claude while he was serving in the military. Ella Ruth received her education at Muskogee High School and Texas Women's University in Denton, Texas. She was awarded a fifty-year certificate as a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Muskogee. After moving to Vinita, she joined the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church and PEO Chapters in Muskogee and Vinita. She had been a member of the Service League and various bridge clubs in Muskogee. Ella Ruth enjoyed gardening, cooking, volunteering and bridge. She was also an avid decorator and enjoyed hosting parties and spending time with family and friends. Survivors are three daughters, Claudia Bliss and her husband, Norman of Woodstock, Illinois, Sarah Bruce and her husband, Fred of Vinita and Robin Cox and her husband, Cliff of Austin, Texas; one brother, James Kerr of Austin, Texas; one sister-in-law, Francis Barnhart of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Brian Bruce and his wife, Becky of Edmond, Oklahoma, Brenda Brown and her husband, Roger of Vinita, David Bliss and his wife, Kristine of Woodstock, Illinois, Marcus Bliss and his wife, Tiffany of Carrollton, Texas and Jordan Cox and her husband, Mitchell of Austin; seven great-grandchildren, Lindsey, Conner and Caleb Bruce, Samantha, Wyatt and Jacqueline Bliss and Brooke Brown. She was predeceased by her husband, Claude, in July of 2000. Funeral service is 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at Luginbuel Funeral Home with Lynn Simpson officiating. Committal service will be Wednesday afternoon, 2:30 p.m. at Green Hill Cemetery, Muskogee, Oklahoma, under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be family members. Family suggests contributions to Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, 101 South Thompson, Vinita, OK 74301. Family and friends may send online condolences by viewing obituaries at www.honoringmemories.com.
Service Details
Wednesday, August 15th, 2007 11:00am, Luginbuel Funeral Home
Interment Details
Green Hill Cemetery