Ruth P. Courtney

Ruth S. Courtney was born November 11, 1930 in Pensacola, Florida the daughter of Essie and Mittie (Presley) Simmons. Ruth moved to her eternal home in heaven on Sunday, December 14, 2014 at Autumn Wood Memory Care in Claremore, Oklahoma. The former Miss Ruth Simmons was a graduate of Pensacola High School in 1948. She met the love of her life at a General Council of the Assemblies of God in Atlanta Georgia and soon married James Courtney July 18, 1952 in Pensacola. After their wedding they made their home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where they pioneered and pastored Central Assembly of God church. Ruth was an amazing pastor's wife with a passion and God-given talent in the area of music. Ruth loved to sing, and played piano, organ, accordion, xylophone, and pretty much anything with a keyboard. She also worked with the adult, children's, teen choirs and ensembles. Four years after Ruth and Jim were married, God blessed their home with a daughter, Janet Ruth. Five years later another little girl, Renee Darlene, was born. Both daughters followed in their parent's footsteps, along side their husbands, Mark Brazee and Mark Viar, pastoring churches in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Lamar, Colorado. But Ruth's pride and joy always were and will be her grandchildren...She was Nana to Tiffany Thomas who also has three children, Christian, Taylor and Isabella; Brandi Vanderveer, and Josh Viar. The sun rose and set on these GRANDS as far as Nana was concerned. Ruth and her husband Jim also pastored First Assembly of God in Pensacola Florida, First Assembly of God in Terre Haute, Indiana and Capitol Hill Assembly in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She influenced the lives of many through her smile that lit up a room and contagious joy. Ruth's husband Jim (or Pastor as he is called by most everyone) still lives in Tulsa. Her baby sister and dearest friend on earth, Allene, lives in Pensacola. And among Ruth's favorite things in life were times of family get-togethers...she dearly loved her brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews. To many she was Sis. Courtney, to others, Ruth or Aunt Ruth...to her husband, Honey, to her children Mama and grandchildren, Nana. Ruth will be missed on this earth but she is now waiting for that family reunion of all times...where we will all be together again for eternity. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 7, 2014 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME SOUTH, 100 Beverly Pkwy, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com

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Ruth P. Courtney

November 11, 1930 - December 14, 2014