Ruth Elizabeth Maxson

Ruth Elizabeth Maxson

July 9, 1938 – Feb 12, 2026

Ruth Elizabeth Maxson, age 87, was born on July 9, 1938, in Seminole, Oklahoma, to A.W. and Mildred Barrett. She went home to be with the Lord surrounded by the legacy of love she so faithfully built throughout her life.

Ruth met the love of her life in September of 1958 at a Church of Christ "get acquainted" party at Oklahoma State University. That evening marked the beginning of a lifelong love story. Ruth Elizabeth Barrett and Joe Mac Maxson were united in marriage on June 17, 1961, in Coalgate, Oklahoma. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, service, and education.

She was preceded in death by her parents, A.W. Barrett and Mildred Barrett; her sister, Betty Bailey; her brother, Paul Barrett; her beloved husband, Dr. Joe Mac Maxson; and her cherished sons, Joe Barrett Maxson and Brian Jeffory Maxson.

Ruth was a lifelong educator whose influence reached far beyond the classroom. She graduated from Oklahoma State University in the summer of 1959 with a degree in Home Economics and immediately began her teaching career at Waurika High School. She spent twelve years teaching vocational home economics to high school students, including one year at Caddo and four years at Bokchito. She later served as an Assistant Professor in Clothing, Textiles, and Merchandising at Oklahoma State University for five years. She concluded her professional career as Supervisor of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) for Bryan, Choctaw, and Pushmataha counties, retiring after years of dedicated service to families across southeastern Oklahoma.

Her professional excellence was recognized through numerous honors, including nomination for Outstanding Teacher in the College of Home Economics at OSU, the New Professional Award from the Oklahoma Association of Extension Home Economists in 1991, and the Oklahoma Award for Consumer Media Grant in 1990.

While her professional accomplishments were many, Ruth was most proud of her family. She was known first and foremost as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Anyone who ever stopped by the Maxson home knew they would not leave hungry. Ruth had a true servant's heart, always ready to feed, encourage, and care for others. Her home was a place of warmth, generosity, and faith.

She was deeply devoted to her church family and lived out her faith through quiet acts of service. She loved to sew, quilt, scrapbook, and cook-each stitch and recipe another expression of her love for those around her.

She is survived by her son, Stephen Maxson; her daughter-in-law, Janeva Maxson; granddaughter Tacie Maxson and wife Stacy Maxson; grandson Brantley Maxson and wife Amanda Maxson; grandson Brayden Maxson and fiancée Brittney Henry; and her beautiful great-grandchildren Addie Maxson, Brooklyn Maxson, Chloe Maxson, and Ivy Maxson. She is also survived by her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Gary and Norma Littleton; sister-in-law Georgia Cagle; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ruth's legacy is one of steadfast faith, unwavering love, and humble service. She will be deeply missed by her friends and family and by the many lives she touched throughout her remarkable life.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 6:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. at Brown's Funeral Service.

A graveside service for Ruth will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 2:00 P.M., at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Armstrong, OK.

Services are under the direction of Brown's Durant Funeral and Cremation Services.