Mary Ruth Miller passed away at 12:30 PM, April 8, 2016, in the presence of family members at the Forrest Manor Nursing Center. Mary Ruth Lumpkin was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, nine days before Christmas 1932, the first daughter, and third of five children of John Ross Lumpkin and Rachel Frances nee: Howell Lumpkin. She was raised in the country and learned early-on the discipline of daily chores - milking before and after school, splitting wood and hauling water. Splashing in the creek was a relief from the summer heat. She served as a second mother to her younger brother, who was born on her ninth birthday. Her early religious experiences were in a small rural Baptist church, complete with front yard socials. After graduation from Lakeside High School in 1950 and a year of work, she married Orville Windoyle Louton, December 22, 1951, and began a family - two boys and two girls. Divorced in 1961, she attended business school to acquire employable skills, thereby finding work in a doctor's office. She moved to Bartlesville in 1966, was admissions clerk, Memorial Hospital, before beginning a 20-year career with Phillips Petroleum Company as an administrative assistant, benefits clerk and trainer before retiring in 1988. During this time, she attended Bartlesville Wesleyan College (now Oklahoma Wesleyan University) graduating with a B.S. in business in 1978. She retired a second time after eight years with Dillards. Mary married John Walcott Miller, September 13, 1972. Together for 43 years, they have seen the arrival of six grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. In 1986, they adopted a seventh grandchild, Davonna Lee Louton. With time on her hands, she contributed to the life of the First Presbyterian Church and community as a head cook for Meals-on-Wheels, coordinator of the Lenten luncheons and not infrequently, assistant for a variety of culinary activities. She served as a deacon and women's circle leader. Mary enjoyed hand quilting, cooking and the company of chihuahuas, Menudo (deceased) and Kristy. For many summers, she enjoyed relaxing at their 220-year old farm home in New York's southern tier. She is survived by her husband, John; sons, Carl David Louton and Orville Windoyle Louton, Jr.; and her daughter, Glenda Jean Brown, all of Bartlesville; and a daughter, Davonna Lee Miller, Durango, Colorado. Mary was preceded in death by her daughter, Sandra Lee Moody; her siblings, George Raymond Lumpkin, John Henry Lumpkin, Ruby Pauline Ferguson and William Franklin "Bo" Lumpkin; and her parents.
Visitation Details
Friday, April 15th, 2016 9:00am - 8:00pm, Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home
Service Details
Saturday, April 16th, 2016 11:00am, First Presbyterian Church - Bartlesville