Ruth Ann Medlin-Shrum

Ruth Ann (Qualls) Medlin-Shrum departed this life for her new life with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ late Monday evening, September 15, 2025, at Northeastern Health System in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Ruth Ann. was born in Tahlequah, OK on June 30, 1941, to James David Qualls and Mary Ruth (York) Qualls. After graduating from Tahlequah High School in 1959, she married Fred Medlin, her high school sweetheart, on June 25, 1960, and remained married for 54 years. After his passing, she remarried their high school friend Donal Dean Shrum on September 2, 2020. They were blessed with a happy marriage for five amazing years.

She dedicated her life to serving others and her community led in the compassion and love of Christ, making an impact on the lives of everyone who met her. She served as the principal's secretary at Cherokee Elementary for 24 years until her retirement in 2001. Her remaining years were dedicated to volunteering and giving back to her community through Care Food Pantry, Tahlequah City Hospital Gift Shop, and Zoe Institute. She was a member of Calvary Church, where she used her talents for generosity and hospitality to provide food and cooking meals for those who were sick or had lost loved ones. She loved her family and devoted her life to making them know they were special and loved.

She is survived by her loving husband, Donal Shrum, Tahlequah, OK; precious children, Scott Medlin, Joe Medlin and wife Kandra, Wendi Michael and husband Everett; grandchildren Allison Frazier and husband Anthony, Nathan Medlin, Erin Michael, Dr. Evan Michael and wife Brendle; two great-grandchildren Addi Jo and Aspyn Kate Frazier and a very special aunt, May DeMoss, who was like a sister to her, special cousins, and many special friends who are the "icing on the cake" of her life. She was blessed by all your love and is looking forward to seeing you "at home" in heaven one day. She wrote in a special note, "Thanks for being "the bow" on the gift of her life!

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, father and mother, first husband, Fred Medlin, his parents, Albert and Evelyn Medlin, sister-in-law Dorothy Lafern Haddock, brother Tony Qualls, daughter-in-law, Patty Medlin wife of Scott Medlin, special Aunt Pat Haddock, many other friends and loved ones.

She will be missed by her family, friends, church and community. Her prayers will always be remembered. She was always the first to offer prayer or a hug to those in need. If she could give you something that you needed or would make your life better, she would. Even in her time of need during her hospital stay, she was praying for others to bring glory to the Lord!