Margery Ruth Bash

My Grandmother was also survived by several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I stayed many many christmas holidays with my grandparents and many spring breaks with them also. we spent time at cedar lake at the cabin they had and we would go fishing. Yes my grandmother did love gadgets and computers and of course you cant forget her dogs especialy GiGi or Kyleen her siamese cat that loved to bite her ankles.

My aunt, who in her eighties was still "young at heart"!!

No matter where they lived - in their "little house" or larger
abodes, in "the city" or rural town, my aunt's house was a
hub of family, friends, food and fun.

As a niece growing-up, going to Ruth and James' house was
always an adventure - whether in the rumble seat of the Model
"A", with a pet raccoon, or to the lake. It always included games,
gadgets, and goodies to eat!

A collector by nature, who thrived on the unusual - turtles, pigs,
pens, stamps, etc., and she even had some interesting pets from
time-to-time. As the years went by, she had the beginning of a
private museum.

My aunt Ruth treasured her family and. as you know, has left
us records of our earthly roots and pictures of our ancestors.
Her nieces and nephews were greatly loved and received special
gifts and privileges throughout the years. Her generosity often
expressed itself by sharing her home when needs arose.

She was the last of my mother's sisters, and I will miss her very much!

Aunt Ruth meant more to me than any words that I could say or put down on paper. She had all the virtues that a nephew could ask for in an aunt.

When I think of Ruth, I see a smile and laughter, a person who looked for the silver lining, not the cloud.

Because we did not live as close as my other aunts and uncles and cousins, I missed the thousand-and-one birthdays, Christmas gatherings, camp-outs, and other events that Ruth was always a part of and thoroughly relished being a central figure in. But I knew Aunt Ruth through pictures and visits my family made to Wynnewood and Oklahoma City. Ruth was always sincere and had a way of making you feel loved and cared about.

Through the years, Ruth showed a great love of animals. Some of their names, like Moses the cat and Coon-Baby the raccoon, may come to mind. She had countless others, and, oh yes, a pet skunk. Ruth had to laugh about the time their skunk would hide during the day and they couldn't find where it was hiding. They would put out food and it would be eaten the next morning. So anyway, one night my dad spent the night. Ruth and James went someplace and when they came home, there was Delbert, my dad, sleeping on the couch --- with that skunk curled up and laying next to him on the couch also! Ruth said she could never forget that, it surprised them so much.

In later years, after my parents had both passed away, Ruth would tell me some rather surprising things. When I was born, Ruth, a teenager at the time, came to stay with my mother when she was home from the hospital. Right away there were complications and my mother had to be taken back to the hospital. They would not allow my mother to take me with her in the ambulance and this created a lot of stress. Ruth was beside herself trying to explain the situation over the phone through tears to her dad and the rest of the family. It was a stressful event she would never forget.

I was born on July 22 and later on that would also be Ruth and James' wedding anniversary; two reasons she could never forget my birthday!

Yes, for ever Aunt Ruth will be within my heart. A person who would always welcome you with open arms. In my heart, I wish I could have talked to her more, held her longer, and never said goodbye for the last time. But God has taken her to be with Him. She has fulfilled her purpose here on earth to give all that she could and to leave us with beautiful memories.

I first met Ruth when Robert and I were dating. I lived in Tulsa at the time and when I came to Oklahoma City I would usually stay at her house. She made me feel like I was part of the family from the very beginning. She was always very up beat and so much fun. It wasn’t til later that I learned that she had experienced many very difficult things in her life. Despite this, she never became bitter or felt sorry for herself. She always spoke well of people, looking for the best in others, making allowances for them. She loved her friends and family and was very loyal to them.

The fun Ruth found in life was contagious. She had lots of hobbies and passions. When she loved something, she never went halfway. Even though I’m not much of a sports fan, I will miss watching the OKC Thunder, Phil Mickleson playing golf and OU/OSU games with her.

She was always there for us and we will miss her very much. It makes me very thankful to Jesus, that we will see her in heaven and never have to say good bye again

It’s not really possible to sum up the life of my Great-Aunt Ruth in few words as there was so much to her. My earliest and fondest memories were of her and James giving up their house for holidays, so we could pile in 20-30 people for family gatherings. Birthdays every few months, every Christmas, most Thanksgivings and Easters, all spent in their home. She loved her family and loved being surrounded by them all, sharing memories, telling stories, playing games, catching up and loved her genealogy. She was a big kid at heart, collecting her gadgets as she would sometimes call them. Ink-pen collections, shelves and shelves full of turtles, pigs and frog trinkets, she loved all the little “critters.”
After James passed away she moved herself to one half of her home and surrounded herself with the things she enjoyed - her dogs, her collections, puzzles, computers and TV programs which left the other half sort of closed off and unused unless someone came to stay for longer than a day visit.
She was generous with that other half of her home, often asking visitors to stay longer, keeping it ready for company and, like in the past, being a good hostess. Ruth welcomed me as a roommate, to move in and use the master bedroom, while I was attending OCU for grad school and it was like having my own apartment. She loved the company and never expected rent or payment of any kind. Even though I was busy with part time jobs, full time school, homework and other college activities we would squeeze in visiting sessions where we could and catch up. She was so funny during that time b/c the OJ Simpson trial was going on and she could answer any trivia about it from watching the trial from start to finish. She was generous with more than just her home. She helped me financially by loaning me the money to mat and frame my entire collection of fine art illustrations that was to be exhibited in my graduate exhibit and helped make it a success. I really appreciate her for those years as grad school was not an easy time in my life.
Ruth, you are loved and will be greatly missed. Your spirit and great memories will live in all of us for the rest of our lives. We will see you again and look forward to that day.

Ruth was a truly remarkable, one-of-a-kind woman. She was a “Great” Aunt in the literal sense. There was so much fun to be had whenever Ruth was around and wherever she was, fun was bound to happen!
Every one of us who were blessed to have known Ruth has our own set of memories, many of which are shared. Several generations now have enjoyed card and tiles games with her into the wee hours of the night. One thing that always amazed me was how she was the last to go to sleep and still the first one up the next morning! She was a strong woman who knew what she wanted and what she did not want. I can remember a specific occasion where she politely, but firmly let someone know that only family called her “Ruth,” others were to refer to her as Marjory – a name I didn’t even know was hers for many years. She would laugh telling us how she’d hoped for a lovely long name one day and she went from Ruth Dunn to Ruth Bash, which she said didn’t make a “cotton-picking difference.”
My sister, cousins and I spent many a night at Ruth’s, which was sort of like a big slumber party. She found everything we did clever and thought it needed to be recorded on film. I can’t count the hours she filmed of my sister and I at ballet or during our fashion shows trying on all the matching leotards she bought us. Ever a kid at heart, Ruth is to this day the only person I’ve ever known who has truly and completely loved every kid’s meal known to man, more specifically the little toy within them. She would excitedly peak inside before we made it home with our little boxed dinners. She collected these and other “little jewels,” as she referred to them, and would talk happily about one day having a big family bingo game and using them as prizes.
She loved with a fierce, protective heart and would speak openly and honestly to people when they asked her opinion and other times even when they didn’t. I remember being so eager to introduce her to the boyfriend I had grown to love so dearly. I was touched when she later gave him her ultimate compliment and told me how he reminded her of James. When we married, she gave us such insightful marital advice. We both treasure the many hours we spent around her breakfast table.
What a wonderful legacy she has left for our family. Ruth will live on in our hearts and through the continued stories we pass on to the next generation. Ruth, you were closer than a Great Aunt, you were a Grandma! I love you dearly.

My Great Aunt was like a bonus Grandma!  I have so many wonderful memories of her that I can share with my daughters.  Some of my favorite memories were listening to her stories – especially the ones about how she met James, their proposal and their married life.  Another fond memory I have is swimming with Ruth and James.  I loved them both so much!  We had such fun at all the family get-togethers they hosted at their house.  Ruth had a wonderful sense of humor and she could always make me laugh.  She also had a very big heart.  Every time I had a bump, bruise or injury – real or imagined – Ruth always had the perfect medicine – candy!  I remember going shopping with Ruth and there was rarely a shopping trip that didn’t include a trip to the food court, which to a young girl was very special.  I was amazed watching Ruth “put on her face” as she called it, otherwise known as putting on her make-up.  For many years, Ruth took my sister and I to VBS.  It was there that she had her first peanut butter and jelly sandwich; imagine how surprised we were to learn that this was her first time ever to eat the childhood staple!  Every day for the next week, Ruth would comment that peanut butter and jelly would really “hit the spot!”  I will forever cherish these and many other precious memories.  Ruth was loved by so many and will be greatly missed.  It’s comforting to know she is in Heaven and I will see her again one day.
Chrisy Locker

Memorial Day, May 30, 2010
On this Memorial Day, I remember Ruth Bash, who fell asleep in the Lord just a little over a week ago. And I remember her sisters Alice and Iris who fell asleep some time ago. I remember her husband James as well… together with Betty, Charles, Edna, Myers, and so many others, too numerous to mention — the great host of all who have fallen asleep in the Lord . And this is my dream of them all, on this Memorial Day.
We make a great deal, nowadays, of space travel. Some are even preparing for burial in space. What a fantastic voyage that must be. And yet, our mother, our sister, our aunt, our friend, Ruth has traversed the immeasurable distance between earth and heaven, finite and infinite, mortal and immortal, time and eternity; and she did it in mere minutes , with no ship. This really is a fantastic voyage. We would not take away, by our excess sorrow , such a glorious event, this incredible journey, from Ruth or from any of the rest of that innumerable company, those who rest in the Lord.
I know Ruth in her inner person. I know her in the way identical twins know each other, with a deep relationship, a mystery. Who is Ruth? Who am I? In my dream on this Memorial Day, I see....
We are baptized Christians, members of the body of Christ . When we are baptized we are carried into an extraordinary relationship with God. We are adopted by the Father . The Holy Spirit connects with our human spirit . We are in Christ. This Baptism, by the grace of God, through the faith that He plants in our hearts, is a kind of death in which our human spirits drown, and die, and are raised again.
But for our flesh, this Baptism is less than an earthly bath, not even a good face washing . Even so, we begin a race in Baptism, a hard race, uphill and downhill; the flesh lusting against the spirit, and the spirit lusting against the flesh . The spirit, indeed willing; but the flesh is weak . Some days we cry out in agony with the Apostle Paul, The things I would, I do not; and the thing I would not, that I do... Oh wretched man that I am... .
Ruth battled so long and hard . Now the race is o’er. Her flesh has met its match in the baptism of death; silenced, it will resist the spirit no more . She has fought a good fight, she has finished her course .
But now that Ruth has finished this earthly race, the Tour de Life, it remains for her to receive her prize . I see in my dream that even now she is mounting the podium to receive her silver medal. The gold medal belongs to her King and Captain, Who, The Lord Jesus Christ, so mightily brought her to such a glorious victory . Henceforth there is laid up for her a crown of righteousness. Soon she will receive her crown , her neck graced with garlands, the crowds roar with excitement as she shares the glory of her Captain's victory.
Jesus Christ Conquers . — Ruth Conquers . Thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ . What a glorious day is this Memorial Day. For our sister and mother and friend Ruth has overcome sin and death and the devil. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia....
Why seek ye the living among the dead, she is not here, she is risen . Ruth has followed her Lord in all things. This is my dream on this Memorial Day. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia....
Sincerely,
Herb Swanson
([email protected])

I love you Ruth. Give Charlie a hug from me. Most of all you will be in the Glory of God and worshipping him along with your sisters, James, Charlie and so many more that went on before you. I will forever remember our many nights of playing cards in the wee hours and the laughter we shared. You were not only a wonderful aunt but, a great friend. You will be missed but, I wouldn't ask God to bring you back to this world. Where you are we all want to go. He called home a precious daughter!!