Ruth Ann Carrell

Ruth Ann Carrell, age 88, went to her heavenly home on December 14, 2025, at Medical City McKinney Hospital in McKinney, Texas. A woman of deep faith, enduring friendships, and a lifelong love of family, music, and basketball, she leaves behind a legacy of kindness and devotion to her family.

Born in Evansville, Indiana, to Edward and Alma (Stofft) Lilienkamp, Ruth was a life-long resident of Evansville until moving to Texas in 2007. She attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School and was an honor student and National Honor Society member at the "Old" Central High School, graduating with the Class of 1955.

Ruth’s professional life was defined by her 30 years of dedicated service at Permanent Savings Bank, where she retired as Branch Assistant in 1995. Even decades after retirement, she remained close with former colleagues.

A life-long member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Evansville, Ruth was baptized, confirmed, and married within its walls. She served in the Ladies Guild, the Encouragers senior group, and both the children’s and adult choirs. Upon moving to Texas, she and her husband joined Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fairview, where she continued her service in the choir and as a greeter.

Ruth was married to the love of her life, Wilford D. “Willie” Carrell, for 56 blessed years before his passing in 2012. Together they shared a love for travel, embarking on long bus trips and memorable family vacations to Florida, Yellowstone, Hawaii, and Alaska. In Evansville, she was known for organizing the yearly family picnic at Wesselman Park, drawing relatives from across the country.

A proud "Boilermaker" at heart, Ruth lived for basketball season. She kept the Big Ten Network constantly on her television so she could anxiously follow every play. Her loyalty to Purdue University was unmatched, and she took immense pride in having four Purdue graduates in her immediate family. Having lived most of her life in Indiana, she truly embodied the spirit of "basketball country" and cherished every moment of the season.

Ruth was a true and loyal friend who would help anyone in any way she could. She possessed a rare gift for maintaining connections that spanned both decades and miles. Even after moving to Texas, she remained in close contact with "special" friends from her

elementary school days and her High School Class of 1955. Whether it was the former bank co-workers or the new neighbors she met while living at the Grand Texan and Oxford Grand in McKinney, Ruth had a way of turning acquaintances into dear friends. To Ruth, a friendship was a lifelong commitment; she cherished the many people who stayed in touch with her over the years, proving that no distance could diminish a true bond.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet Bryan of Plano, Texas; sons David Carrell and wife April of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Michael Carrell and wife Mary of McKinney, Texas; seven grandchildren, Stephen, Julie, and Patrick Bryan, Kelsey Weddle (née Carrell) and husband Kasey, Andrew Carrell (CWT1 U.S. Navy), and Matthew and Margaret Carrell; and her brother, Paul Lilienkamp of Westford, Massachusetts . She is also survived by several beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Willie; her parents, Edward and Alma (née Stofft) Lilienkamp; an infant brother, Donald Edward Lilienkamp; her son-in-law, Kenneth Bryan; and an infant granddaughter, Lindsey Dawn Carrell.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 5, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 301 Country Club Road, Fairview, Texas. A memorial service officiated by Reverand Tab Ottmers and a light lunch reception will follow.

Ruth will be laid to rest with her husband at 1:30 p.m., at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to:

Immanuel Lutheran Church Building Fund

301 Country Club Road,

Fairview, TX 75069,

or

St Paul’s Lutheran Church

100 E. Michigan Street

Evansville IN 47711