Ruth Royes Oliphant

Ruth Royes Oliphant, also known as Granny O, 79, a resident of La Porte, Texas, died Sunday, August 4, 2013, at Bayshore Hospital in Pasadena Texas while being treated for pneumonia. Born in 1933 in to parents Ruth Sauer and William Royes in Manhattan, NY, Ruth received a high school diploma in business and worked as a secretary on Wall Street. She moved to Clarendon, AR in 1953 when she married the love of her life, Thomas Elmo Oliphant Sr. The couple eventually settled in Russellville, AR., were Ruth worked for Allmon Mack and then Vance Title as an abstractor. After retiring, Ruth moved to La Porte, TX to live with her daughter and son-in-law. Ruth was known for her sense of humor, her creativity and being a dedicated mother and grandma. She enjoyed playing cards, watching movies, painting and reading. From 2003 to 2008 Ruth spent time traveling abroad. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Thomas E. Oliphant Sr., her son Thomas Elmo Oliphant Jr., brother, Bill Royes and sister Theadora (Dora) Oliphant. She is survived by her daughter Debbie and David Patterson of La Porte, TX, daughter-in-law, Karen Oliphant of Russellville, grandchildren Kari Oliphant Powers (Ritchie), Thomas Barrhett Oliphant (Lea Anne), Trina Joy Koslowski (Tim) and Jerod Wayne Patterson, great-grandchildren Brock, Coltin, Triston, Nate, Ruthie and Kariawna and sisters Shirley Bestany of New York City, NY and Sylvia Orsi of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and countless friends and family across the globe. The graveside service and burial will be at 10:00 AM, Thursday, August 8, 2013 at East Point Cemetery near Russellville, by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. Visitation will be from 5-6 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Kari Powers, Joy Koslowski, Jerod Patterson, Ritchie Powers, Brock Powers and Ray Gentry. Honorary pallbearers are Barrhett Oliphant, Tim Koslowski, Michael McIntyre, and Shawn McMenamin.