Ruth Eleanor Ward was born to Albion Ward and Mina Belle Harness on the Ward Ranch out of Saguache, Colorado on December 15, 1919. The Ward ranch is a Colorado historical site, being in the Ward family for over 100 years. She was the youngest of five children. She grew up on the home ranch. She married Louis Cox on March 21, 1936. She had six children, Darol, Lynn, Carol, Harley, Carl, and Lola. Due to their son's asthma they moved to Arizona. Louis worked for the Department of Fish and Wildlife for 35 years. Ruth made a home for the family wherever Louis's work took him. After retiring from that they moved to a ranch out of Flagstaff, Arizona and lived there for 10 years. Ruth loved being a ranch wife and cooking for the cowboys during roundup and shipping of the cattle. After retiring from that, they moved back to their home in Prescott, Arizona where they resided until Louis passed away in 2002. Ruth then visited all of her children. She moved to an assisted living home out of Globe, Arizona and lived there for 2 years. She then moved to an assisted living home in Idabel, Oklahoma where she lived for 2 years before passing away. She was a national delegate for PTA, and was active in her Methodist church woman's organization. She was a visiting representative for the Eastern Star and was a past Grand Worthy Matron. She was known as Nana to all and everyone looked up to her and enjoyed her love and care. She was in a contest and won Mrs. Senior McCurtain County. Ruth enjoyed being a homemaker, cooking, sewing, quilting, square dancing, western music and all plants and animals. She loved watching the changing of the seasons. She enjoyed going to Beaver's Bend picnicking.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, sisters, husband, Louis Cox, and her eldest son, Darol.
She led a very active and fulfilled life. She will be missed so very much by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A memorial celebration will be held Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey Chapel.
