Ruth Maredith Cook

Funeral services for Ruth Maredith Kathern Cook will be held 2:00 pm Friday, July 25, 2008 in the Sanctuary of the Church of Christ with Brother Willard Paff officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to in memory of Ruth to the following organizations: Neuro-Science Research Foundation 1705 East 19th Street, Suite 408, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104 or to Alzheimer Center in Tulsa; Holliman Building, 1705 East 19th Street, Suite 406, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-5428. Friends may share a memory with the family at the online at www.chapman-black.com.

Ruth was born June 14, 1919 the daughter of Benjamin and Eva (Vaughan) Barrett. As a young child Ruth traveled by train with her family to Oklahoma after selling their farm in Arkansas. They established their home on a farm the family called the "Rush Place", west of Cleveland near the intersection of Highways 99 and 64. After several years the family moved to the "Youngman Place" between Stoney Point and Hallett. The family soon moved to the "Cheek Place, on Highway 64 about eight miles from Cleveland at that time Ruth began attending High Grove, a one-room school. In 1930 the Barrett Family moved near the Arkansas River close to the Johnson Refinery, where her father worked. In the spring of 1937 the family moved into Cleveland. On February 19, 1938, Ruth was united in marriage in Cleveland, Oklahoma to Glenn Cook. Soon after their marriage they moved to the Frisco, California area where they accepted employment in the shipyards. In the mid 1940's, Ruth and Glenn returned to Boston Pool and purchased the grocery store. They owned and operated the store until 1948, at that time the couple closed the operation and opened the Cook's Grocery in Cleveland on South Broadway which later relocated the to Caddo in 1962. They continued the operation until 1972. In 2004, Ruth moved to Poteau to be near her daughter and returned to the area in 2006. .

Ruth was one that loved to paint as well as fish. During the family travels Ruth would always pan for gold if possible. She was also known for her tomatos that she raised.

Ruth went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 23, 2008, in Mannford, Oklahoma at the age 89.

Survivors are her son Don Cook and his wife Beverly of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Jane Hall and her husband Larry of Cleveland, Oklahoma, five grandchildren Ricky Cook of Nashville, Tennessee, Leacia Hiseley of Warner, Oklahoma, Missy Cook of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Aaron Cook of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Amanda Armstrong of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; seven great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; one brother in law Gene Cruzen of Cleveland, Oklahoma; one sister in law Irene Barrett of Tulsa, Oklahoma as well as a host of other relatives and friends that mourn her passing. In addition to her parents, was preceded in death by parents, Benjamin Harrison Barrett, Eva Jane Barrett nee (Vaughan), husband Glenn Wood Cook, three brothers Woody, Thad, Ben Barrett, two sisters Alda Casey, Vesta Cruzen.