Anna Ruth Selvidge

On March 31st, 2016, Heaven gained the most beautiful soul. Born on March 22nd, 1936 in Watonga, Oklahoma to Ben and Mary Etta Selvidge of HInton, Oklahoma, Ruth was the youngest of six children. These siblings were the best of friends and grew up knowing the value of love, family, and hard work. Their oldest brother, Donald, died tragically at the age of 21 and they lost their mother not long afterward.

Ruth was an adventurer. After attending Central State College in Edmond, Oklahoma, and working for a few years, she took off for Honolulu, Hawaii accompanied by her lifelong friend of more than sixty years, Sarah Bell. They both worked odd jobs for a few years before settling San Francisco. Both Ruth and Sarah obtained employment with American Airlines, where they worked until retirement.

Though Ruth never married, she had three nieces and a nephew that she dearly loved, and was known as “Aunt Ruthie”. One of the most beautiful and classy women you could ever hope to meet, she had no shortage of suitors. She loved the Lord Jesus with all of her heart, and expressed this love in kindness and caring for everyone with whom she came in contact. She was also a prayer warrior who prayed diligently for our nation, the Church, and those she loved. The last twenty five years of her life she had a dear friend, Ken Fraser, of San Francisco, who adored her and cared for her faithfully until she returned to Oklahoma in 2013. Even after she returned, he prayed diligently for her and called her daily.

Though afflicted with Alzheimer's disease her kindhearted spirit prevailed. Even when she reached the point where she did not recognize familiar faces, she would look you in the eye, hold your hand, smile, and say “I love you, I love you, I love you”. This was her true heart.

Ruth was predeceased by her parents, Ben and Mary, brothers, Doyle and Donald of Hinton, sister, Wilomet Young and husband Judson of Oklahoma City, niece, Jan Young, and brother in law Glenn Melton. She is survived by her devoted sisters, Mary Marcella Melton and Wanda Jean Baxter and her husband Francis of Edmond, Sister-in-law Betty Selvidge, nieces Susie McCollom of Edmond, Shelly Whitmire of Hinton, and nephew Mark Selvidge of San Jose, CA. She also is survived by three great nieces, Alyssa McCollom of Miami, Fl., Lucy McCollom of Stillwater, OK, and Katherine Selvidge of Hinton, OK.

Her family is deeply grateful for the wonderful and loving care provided by Autumn Leaves Memory Care Center and Sooner Hospice. A memorial service will be held at Memorial Park Historical Chapel in Oklahoma City on Friday at 10:00am. Donations may be directed to Sooner Hospice or the Alzheimerʼs Association of Oklahoma, or charity of your choice.