Ruth Smallwood, of Checotah, passed away Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at the age of 75. She was born on Friday, Aug. 19, 1949, to Leon and Lillian (Green) Oliver in Roswell, New Mexico.
Ruth grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah and moved to Oklahoma City, graduating from Capitol Hill High School in 1968. She married James Lowell Smallwood in June of 1966, in Oklahoma City and became a wife and mother of 3 beautiful girls.
They moved to Checotah in 1975. From 1977 to 1981, Ruth was the first woman bus driver for Checotah Public Schools. During this time, she also worked at Walmart in the fabric department and set up crew, and the Checotah donut shop. Also, during the 1980s, she worked in the County Assessor’s Office.
In 1991, Ruth attended Connors then Northeastern, earning her Bachelors in Education. She taught at Warner public schools until her retirement. After her retirement, Ruth was the business owner of P&R Tax.
She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, cooking and camping. Ruth loved her family, spending time with her grandkids, great grandkids and taking care of people.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws, Clifton Charles Smallwood and Zora Smallwood.
She is lovingly survived by her husband James of the home; children, Sherry Gene Spears and husband Samuel, Kerri Ann Jackson and husband Paul, and Lori Lynn Smallwood; grandchildren, Samantha Baird and husband Aaron, James Spears, Brytne Griffith and husband Anthony, James Smallwood II and wife Jessica, Levi Nichols, Daniel Nichols and wife Lindsay, and Zora Smallwood; great grandchildren, Aaryn, Cora, Lorraine, Deacon, Samuel, Lydia and Ezekiel (Zeke). Ruth is also survived by other extended family and a lifetime of friends.
Services were held on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the First Baptist Church of Checotah, with Reverend Josh McElyea ministering.
