Obituary for Ruth I. Lewis
Ruth I. Lewis, the former Ruth Irene Ray, age 95, passed away February 12, 2005 in North Little Rock Arkansas. She was born February 12, 1910, daughter of James Benton and Katie Mae Ray. She moved with her parents from Grayson County, Texas to Oklahoma in 1915, settling near Altus. She entered school at Old Frazier and, upon consolidation with the Altus public schools, entered Washington school in the sixth grade. Graduating from Altus High School in May 1028, she immediately entered Altus Business College, desiring to prepare herself for secretarial work.
She married Frank Wesley Lewis of Mangum, Oklahoma in August 1935. In 1940 their first child, Kay ( now Kay Woods) was born. Kay resides in Little Rock, Arkansas and is Assistant Vice President of the American Municipal Secs.; a son, James Preston was born in 1943, and resides in Ridgecrest, California, where he has been with Searles Valley Mineral since 1965 as Foreman, Instrumentatoin. Her husband died May 21, 1955, at San Antonio, Texas.
Mrs Lewis has been in the work force for many years, commencing immediately after graduation from Business College, she accepted her first secretarial position with Stansell Whiteside, Sr., Attorney, continuing on in the legal profession for 12-plus years, working for Judge W.C. Austin, Robert B. Harbison, and the firm of Walker and Barnes in Hermiston, Oregon. After Mr. Whiteside's untimely death in an automobile accident in 1935, she moved to Mangum to accept position of Business Manager, Borger-McGregor Hospital, for seven years, returning to Altus in 1942 to work for Judge Austin. Mrs Lewis husband being a Federal employee with the United States Corps of Engineers, she too the Civil Service examination and in 1950 she entered Federal Service in Walla Walla, Washington District and McNary, Oregon where her husband was Paving Engineer with the US Corps of Engineers. Her first love, legal secretary, was sacrificed so she would be in position to transfer with her husband as his jobs were completed.
since 1950 to present date, Mrs. Lewis has worked with the US Corps of Engineers and the US Air Force, transferring with him to various installation; from Oregon to Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas; Lackland Air Force Base Texas. Following her husband's untimely death from cancer while at San Antonio, she transferred to Altus Air Force Vase in June 1955, working in the 96th Bombardment Wing, later the 11th Strategic Aerospace Wing, 816th Air Division, and the 442rd Military Airlift Wing. She has been Secretary to the Wing Comptroller since March 1966. Mrs Lewis received her first Outstanding and Sustained Superior Performance after arriving at Altus Air Force Base in 1957, and was consistent in that pattern annually. She also received two Special Achievement Awards from the Air Force Audit Agency, when the AFAA was stationed on Altus Air Force Base; numerous letter of commendation/appreciation, and the recipient of the Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award for the period 27 March 1966 to 26 March 1981.
Mrs Lewis was active in the First Baptist Church, serving as Librarian/Assistant Librarian since 1957. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, American Association of Retired People; Past Noble Grand, Altus Rebecca Lodge No. 75, having been elected Secretary for more than 25 years.
Mrs. Lewis is survived by one daughter; Kay Woods and husband Bill of North Little Rock, Arkansas, one son; Jimmy Lewis and wife Eldora of Ridgecrest, California, two nephews; Carlrton Ray and wife Sue Tipton, Oklahoma and Phillip Ray and Wife Sandy of Luthersville, Maryland, four nieces; Wilma Briscoe of Altus, Oklahoma Jerry Lankford and husband Bill of Lakewood, Co. Susan McGrady and husband Red of Pulaski, VA. and Paula Carter and husband Bill of Altus, Oklahoma, five grandchildren; Talanda Luis and husband Albert of Huntington Beach, Ca, Kristy Woods of Valley Village, CA. Bret Woods of Little Rock, Arkansas and Preston Lewis and wife Joyce of Ridgecrest, CA. and seven great grandchildren, Vanessa, Alec, Chanel Luis, Kaylee and Cody Schneekluth, James and Keith Lewis.
Mrs Lewis is preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters; Zelma Harrison and Geneva Ray, four brothers; Dean, Don, Doug and Howard Ray.
Services will be held Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 11;00 am at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Jeff Moore officiating. Interment will follow at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
The family will greet friends, Tuesday, February 15, 2005 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Lowell-Tims
02/16/2005
11:00 AM
Funeral
First Baptist Church
Read More
She married Frank Wesley Lewis of Mangum, Oklahoma in August 1935. In 1940 their first child, Kay ( now Kay Woods) was born. Kay resides in Little Rock, Arkansas and is Assistant Vice President of the American Municipal Secs.; a son, James Preston was born in 1943, and resides in Ridgecrest, California, where he has been with Searles Valley Mineral since 1965 as Foreman, Instrumentatoin. Her husband died May 21, 1955, at San Antonio, Texas.
Mrs Lewis has been in the work force for many years, commencing immediately after graduation from Business College, she accepted her first secretarial position with Stansell Whiteside, Sr., Attorney, continuing on in the legal profession for 12-plus years, working for Judge W.C. Austin, Robert B. Harbison, and the firm of Walker and Barnes in Hermiston, Oregon. After Mr. Whiteside's untimely death in an automobile accident in 1935, she moved to Mangum to accept position of Business Manager, Borger-McGregor Hospital, for seven years, returning to Altus in 1942 to work for Judge Austin. Mrs Lewis husband being a Federal employee with the United States Corps of Engineers, she too the Civil Service examination and in 1950 she entered Federal Service in Walla Walla, Washington District and McNary, Oregon where her husband was Paving Engineer with the US Corps of Engineers. Her first love, legal secretary, was sacrificed so she would be in position to transfer with her husband as his jobs were completed.
since 1950 to present date, Mrs. Lewis has worked with the US Corps of Engineers and the US Air Force, transferring with him to various installation; from Oregon to Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas; Lackland Air Force Base Texas. Following her husband's untimely death from cancer while at San Antonio, she transferred to Altus Air Force Vase in June 1955, working in the 96th Bombardment Wing, later the 11th Strategic Aerospace Wing, 816th Air Division, and the 442rd Military Airlift Wing. She has been Secretary to the Wing Comptroller since March 1966. Mrs Lewis received her first Outstanding and Sustained Superior Performance after arriving at Altus Air Force Base in 1957, and was consistent in that pattern annually. She also received two Special Achievement Awards from the Air Force Audit Agency, when the AFAA was stationed on Altus Air Force Base; numerous letter of commendation/appreciation, and the recipient of the Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award for the period 27 March 1966 to 26 March 1981.
Mrs Lewis was active in the First Baptist Church, serving as Librarian/Assistant Librarian since 1957. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, American Association of Retired People; Past Noble Grand, Altus Rebecca Lodge No. 75, having been elected Secretary for more than 25 years.
Mrs. Lewis is survived by one daughter; Kay Woods and husband Bill of North Little Rock, Arkansas, one son; Jimmy Lewis and wife Eldora of Ridgecrest, California, two nephews; Carlrton Ray and wife Sue Tipton, Oklahoma and Phillip Ray and Wife Sandy of Luthersville, Maryland, four nieces; Wilma Briscoe of Altus, Oklahoma Jerry Lankford and husband Bill of Lakewood, Co. Susan McGrady and husband Red of Pulaski, VA. and Paula Carter and husband Bill of Altus, Oklahoma, five grandchildren; Talanda Luis and husband Albert of Huntington Beach, Ca, Kristy Woods of Valley Village, CA. Bret Woods of Little Rock, Arkansas and Preston Lewis and wife Joyce of Ridgecrest, CA. and seven great grandchildren, Vanessa, Alec, Chanel Luis, Kaylee and Cody Schneekluth, James and Keith Lewis.
Mrs Lewis is preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters; Zelma Harrison and Geneva Ray, four brothers; Dean, Don, Doug and Howard Ray.
Services will be held Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 11;00 am at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Jeff Moore officiating. Interment will follow at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
The family will greet friends, Tuesday, February 15, 2005 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Lowell-Tims
02/16/2005
11:00 AM
Funeral
First Baptist Church
To send flowers in memory of Ruth I. Lewis, visit the Tribute Store.
Thank you for sharing your
memory of Ruth
Provide comfort for the family by sending flowers or planting a tree in memory of Ruth I. Lewis.
Send Flowers
Loading...