Ruth Alene Watkins Legan

Ruth Alene Watkins Legan, age 92, a resident of Claremore, Oklahoma, went to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ Thursday, December 27, 2018. She was born in the Burns Community, Polk County, Missouri in the same house where her mother was born. Her parents were Phenias Alva Watkins and Wilma Cornelius Watkins. She received her early education in Halfway, Missouri graduating from Halfway High School in 1945. Ruth and Bob were high school sweethearts. During World War II while Bob was stationed at Camp Hood, Texas, Ruth took the train to meet him, so they could be married. They looked for a ‘lovey dovey' couple to stand up for them and were married in the base chapel on January 4, 1945. Ruth volunteered all of her life, even when she was ninety years old. She was a member of Claremore First Baptist Church and the Amazing Grace Sunday School class. She served in W.M.U. and volunteered monthly at The Manger in Claremore. She served on the Russellville, Arkansas Planning Commission and the Farmers Home Administration Board. She was active in the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 20 Russellville, AR. She was elected Department President of Arkansas for 1998-99 and National Executive Committeewoman for 1999-2000. She served as Girls State Chairman for many years sending two Arkansas girls to Girls Nation in Washington D.C. One of the girls attending Arkansas Girls State was Sarah Huckabee, the daughter of then Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Ruth urged Sarah to run for Governor of Girls State, but she dropped out saying she wanted to allow the other candidate the opportunity to win. Sarah Huckabee Sanders later would serve as press secretary to President Donald J. Trump. Ruth worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Roy Nelson for many years. When Bob and Ruth retired, they traveled to every state in the United States. They also traveled to Europe, Portugal, Spain, Hawaii, and a cruise to the Bahamas. When Bob passed away, Ruth started traveling with the S and K travel group. The group gave her a new middle name – GO! Ruth was a passionate quilter. She quilted over one hundred quilts. She made a quilt for every member of her family and a few friends as well. She was a charter member of River Valley Quilters in Russellville, Arkansas and a member of Country Fare Quilters of Claremore, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alva and Wilma Watkins and her loving husband of sixty-five years, Bobby Joe Legan. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Ron Wilson of Glenpool, OK; a son and daughter-in-law, Ken and Mary Legan of Claremore, Okla.; a daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Carl Erdmann of Show Low, Arizona; a sister, Ethel Lunceford; a sister and brother-in-law, Dale and Gene Degraffenreid; six grandchildren and spouses, Anora and Ben Tillman, Ashley and Kevin Bates, Dustin and Brooke Wilson, Joshua and Jill Legan, Brandi and Mark Wood, and Myles Erdmann; eight great-grandchildren, Alexandra VanCleef, Jackson VanCleef, Drue Legan, Hunter Wyrick, Tyson Wilson, Chase Wilson, Brady Brewer, and Nolan Brewer. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, January 3, 2018 at First Baptist Church, Claremore, Okla. with Pastor Keith Wiginton officiating, under the direction of Rice Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The American Legion Foundation of Arkansas, 702 Victory Street, P.O. Box 3280 Little Rock, Ark. 72203. Visitation will be held at Rice Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 2nd from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.