Ruth Elizabeth (Medearis) (Phelps) Harrell
Feb 3, 1921 - May 19, 2015
Posted by: Ann Weber

Ruth Phelps Harrell, age 94 of Lexington, passed away Tuesday May 19, 2015, at the Healthplex, in Norman.

Ruth Elizabeth Medearis was born February 3, 1921, on the family farm 7 miles northeast of Lexington. Her parents were John Augustus “Gus” Medearis and Anna Miranda (Tiernan) Medearis. Ruth grew up in the Lexington area attending schools at Willow View and Lone Star. In December of her first year at Lexington High School, tragedy struck her family when spinal meningitis took the lives of her mother, brother, John and sister Blanche. She finished the school year in Oklahoma City living with her older sister Hazel and family. In later years she completed her high school education by getting her GED. In 1937, Ruth met a handsome young man who had recently moved into the area named Leslie Dewel Phelps. They were married on September 19. 1938. They made their home in Lexington where together they raised 2 daughters, Betty Ann and Billie Sue. Ruth accepted Jesus Christ as her Personal Savior at the young age of 10 years and has been a faithful and dedicated member of Lexington First Baptist Church since 1947. She loved the Lord and served in many capacities. She taught both children and adult Sunday school classes for more than 40 years. She also helped in the kitchen for various functions and events. She will forever be remembered as the Coordinator of the funeral dinners. Ruth enjoyed her many hobbies which included oil painting, stained glass projects and cake decorating. She made wedding cakes for most of her 7 grandchildren. She wrote many poems and was an avid gardener until in her 90’s. After the death of her first husband, she traveled extensively with the Fellowship Singers in Norman and other groups taking her into 49 of the 50 United States. She also enjoyed cooking. One of her ministries was taking home-cooked food to the sick and bereaved. After being a widow for 14 years, Ruth was introduced on a blind date to a wonderful Christian man named Obble Lewis Harrell, from Pauls Valley. They were married on September 25, 1999 at the Lexington First Baptist Church. They had 15 happy years together and enjoyed their blended family gatherings at holidays and birthdays.

She was preceded in death by: Her husbands, Leslie Phelps, October 18, 1985; Obble Harrell August 18, 2014; Her parents, Gus and Anna Medearis; 2 brothers, John and James Medearis; 3 sisters, Blanche Hollowell, Bessie Stark, Hazel Witt; 1 great grandson, Matthew Anderson;

Ruth leaves behind: Her 2 daughters, Betty Anderson and husband James of Pueblo, CO, Sue Marcum and husband Norm of Topeka, KS; 7 grandchildren, Jamie Anderson of California, Steve Anderson of Houston, TX, Judy Schulte of California, Mike Anderson of Moore, Larry Anderson of Parker, CO, Jim Marcum of Chandler, AZ and Dana Edwards of Topeka, KS; 21 great grandchildren; 1 great- great grandchild; 2 Step-sons; Michael Harrell and his wife, Judy of Tecumseh, and Allyn Harrell and his wife, Carole of Mustang; 4 Step-grandchildren, Angela Atkins and her husband, Shannon of Norman, Andrea Vincent and her husband, Heath of Edmond, Jennifer Koeninger of Mustang, Paul Harrell and his wife, Shalena of Mustang; 7 step-great grandchildren; Numerous extended family and friends.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:30 A.M. Saturday, May 23, 2015, at the First Baptist Church in Lexington. Burial will follow at the Lexington Cemetery under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home of Purcell. The family will have a special time to receive visitors Friday evening from 6-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church, Lexington, OK