Ruth James Wingo

Ruth James Wingo, 93, died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2004.

Memorial service: 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16, at Russell Memorial Methodist Church, Wills Point.

Memorials: Wingo Library, Wills Point High School, 100 Tiger Dr., Wills Point; or Russell Memorial Methodist Church, 201 S. 4th Street, Wills Point, Texas 75169.

Ruth was born Jan. 25, 1911, in Springtown to Mary Beulah McCracken and Thomas Leslie James. She spent her childhood in Kerens, moving to Wills Point in 1923 when her father purchased a lumber yard. She graduated as salutatorian of Wills Point High School in 1928, and from Texas Women's University in 1932, with a degree in journalism. She was editor of the college newspaper, The Lasso, and president of Theta Sigma Phi. An endowed scholarship in her name is given annually to a journalism major at TWU.

She was a member of the friendship class at Russell Memorial Methodist Church, having also taught Sunday school classes there for over 50 years. A past president of the Know Your Bible Club, the United Methodist Women, an officer in the Parent Teachers Association, charter member of the Wills Point Historical Society, special correspondent to the Dallas Morning News, and the Rotary Anns 1976 Woman of the Year. The Wills Point High School named the Wingo Library for her and her husband in 1998. She used her journalism talent to write books for each of her grandchildren and a legacy of memory stories for the James family called "Roots and Wings."

Ruth married David Stimson Wingo in her parents' home in Wills Point on Jan. 24, 1934. He preceded her in death in 2002. She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, George Joyce.

For over 60 years, Ruth and David lived at 901 East High Street in Wills Point, where her hospitality was well-known. Her kitchen treats and garden bouquets were shared with many in the community and her prayers were heartfelt. During World War II, the couple closed their home to allow Ruth to follow David where he was stationed training troops. At the various Army bases, she was know as "that Southern redhead with three girls and a cocker spaniel." She returned to their Wills Point home when he went overseas and rejoiced when he returned home safely. Theirs was a binding love of 68-1/2 years.

Survivors: Daughters, Carolyn Joyce of Louisville, Ky., Sylvia Huckabee and husband, Tommie, of Stephenville and Beverly Purinton and husband, Don, of Plano; grandchildren, Stephen David Joyce, Dr. Timothy Michael Huckabee and Diane Purinton Farnham, all of Dallas, Phyllis Huckabee of San Diego, Calif., David Don Purinton of San Antonio and Christopher Martin Huckabee of Fort Worth; and eight great-grandchildren.