Ruth Jeanette English

RUTH JEANETTE ENGLISH, 94, passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. Ruth was born December 4, 1922, to the late William Ruby Atkins and Trula Holt Atkins in McCaskill, Ark. She grew up in Camden, Ark., and graduated from Camden High School in 1939. She then attended Hendrix College and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She was an educator, teaching fourth grade in Fayetteville and sixth grade in Camden. Ruth met Travis English while a student at the University of Arkansas, and they were married on July 25, 1943, during World War II. Travis was a young pilot who taught flying in Air Force Flight School. He then served as a pilot in the Air Force in the China, Burma, India Theaters, flying the Hump between China and India. After the War, Ruth and Travis lived in Rome, Ga., Fayetteville, and Greenwood, Miss., before settling in the Lakewood area of North Little Rock. They raised three daughters there and became devoted members of Lakewood United Methodist Church, where Ruth was a part of the United Methodist Women and a member of the George Martin Sunday School Class. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and infant brother, William Roy Atkins. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Ruby Gene Atkins Fincher of Newport; brothers Charles Holt Atkins of Camden and James Howard Atkins of Little Rock; and brother in law, James Alfred English of Dallas, Texas. She is survived by three daughters, Mary Shinn and her husband Ben of Plano, Texas; Trudy Baxter and her husband Tom of Little Rock; and Ellen Turner and her husband Nat of The Woodlands, Texas. Other survivors are her sisters in law, Martha Atkins of Camden and Kathleen Atkins of Little Rock. She was blessed and very devoted to her grandchildren, RuthAnne Bloor (Daniel), Laura Hamilton (Clint), Jim Baxter (Jennifer), Trav Baxter (Savanna), Layne Cook (Joey), Nat Turner (Allie) and Beth Turner Finney (Luke). Her great-grandchildren, Emma and Hannah Hamilton, Chloe Bloor, Elsa and Lindy Baxter, Scarlett Baxter and Nathaniel Turner also brought great joy to her life. Family was very important to Ruth, and she adored all of her nieces and nephews: Hal Fincher, Ann Vanhook , May Atkins, Jo Smith, Julie Atkins, Charlie Atkins, Billy Atkins, Page Atkins, and Mary Mulhollan. She was also loved by many great nieces and nephews and wonderful friends who brought much happiness to her life. Ruth was gifted with a sharp mind and remarkable memory. Because of her love for people, she was beloved by friends and family everywhere. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Baptist Hospice, especially Paula Keith, Deborah Halter, Ryan Alverson and Kay Maulden. Ruth always said she had the best care from her wonderful and devoted caregivers, Charlotte Butler Rice, Carolyn Reed, Felicia Butler, Alexis Royal and Jenquetta Smith. A celebration of Ruth's life will be held at Lakewood United Methodist Church, North Little Rock, on Saturday, March 11, at 10:30 a.m. Reverend Ben Shinn and Reverend Cindy Henry will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Lakewood United Methodist Church, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Arkansas Hospice of North Little Rock, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., 501-224-2200. Ruth's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.