Ruby Louella Patterson

1936 - 2023

Ruby Louella Patterson

Ruby Louella Patterson passed from her earthly home to her heavenly home on March 9, 2023, in Tulsa, OK, at the age of 86. Ruby was born May 4, 1936, in Jay, Oklahoma, to Timothy and Minnie (Jones) Denny, the middle of 5 kids. Her family grew up in the hard times of the 1930s and 40s in Northeast Oklahoma around Jay and Maysville. After attending Jay High School, she began working at Peterson Farms Chicken plant in Decatur, Ark. In early 1953, Ruby went on a blind date with a guy from Decatur, Orval Patterson Jr., who was on leave from the Air Force. They were married on Sept 1, 1953, in Pineville, Missouri, and shared 66 years together before Orval's death in 2019. The first years of their married life, they spent time in Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, and California. Together they had 3 children: Shari, Ronnie, and Lavonna. In 1964, Orval's career would have the family moving from California to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ruby began attending The School of Cosmetology. She remained a beautician/hairdresser for over 40 years, retiring in 2006, at the age of 70. Ruby had many other hobbies and talents: gardening, decorating, sewing, crafting, crocheting, floral arranging, and professionally decorating cakes. Additionally, Orval and Ruby were involved in square dancing for many years, traveling to Tennessee, Louisiana, Salt Lake City and California to The National Square Dance conventions.

Through her career, her interests, her hobbies, square dancing and church, she met and became lifelong friends with many, many people. Most of all, she loved spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be deeply and truly missed by all.

Ruby is survived by her three children, Shari (and Egil) Bjornsen, Ronnie Patterson, and Lavonna Spaethe. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren (and their spouses); 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Evelyn Allen of Haysville, KS; brother, Bob Denny of Jay, OK; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Orval Patterson, Jr.; her parents, Timothy and Minnie Denny; brother, Don Denny; sister, Helen Ruckman; and son-in-law, Rick Spaethe.

Ruby's children would like to especially thank the staff, at Beehive Homes in Glenpool, OK, for their authentic love and care they extended to Ruby (and to her family) throughout her stay at the Beehive.

Visitation Sunday, March 19, from 2-4 p.m. Services Monday, March 20, at 10 a.m. with Dr. Milton C. Olsen officiating. Both at Moore's Funeral Home Southlawn Chapel - 9350 East 51st Street.

Ruby will be laid to rest, next to her beloved husband Orval, at Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, OK. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com.