Eisenhour Funeral Home
Blanchard, McClain Co, OK
(permission granted)

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ruth Ann Brooks - a cherished matriarch beloved by her family, friends, and the Blanchard community. Ruth Ann passed away of terminal breast cancer at the age of 88 surrounded by the love of her family and friends on March 5th, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, creativity, and service.

Ruth Ann was raised in Blanchard, Oklahoma just like her parents and grandparents. Born in 1936 to Rand and Viola Dennis, she was the baby girl of 7 siblings. After losing their sister at a young age her older brothers were always very protective of Ruth Ann from birth - “their little princess.” She had a youth rich with memories of friends and family. She was the Sophomore Queen of Hearts and a member of the pep club, choir, and basketball team throughout high school in Blanchard. She attended UCO in Edmond to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse before choosing to focus on her young family and a different career path.

She married her high school sweetheart Donald Byers Brooks in 1954 and they would share a loving and devoted partnership for 50 years until his passing in 2005. Together they welcomed family and friends into their home for countless Sunday dinners, a cherished family tradition she continued in her mother’s memory. The moments around the table of laughter, loudness, love, and the aroma in Grandma’s kitchen will forever remain in the hearts of those who love her.

Ruth Ann’s nurturing spirit extended beyond her family where she was known as Mrs. Brooks to the students and staff at Blanchard Public Schools. Her love for food and service began in the lunchroom where she started working alongside her mother. She went on to be a teacher’s assistant at the Happy House Kindergarten then found her calling as a bus aide for students with special needs. In this role she touched the lives of many children with her kindness and patience.

Creativity poured from Ruth Ann in all she did. Her love of butterflies and purple daisies was reflected in her décor, wardrobe, garden, and the floral arrangements she crafted for the cemetery each month. She loved cooking, sewing, crafting, gardening, shopping, music, animals, purses, pecans, ice cream, and so much more. She was a culinary talent and ran a successful catering business for over 25 years. She was known as the “Blanchard Cake Lady” and no birthday, wedding, or special event was complete without one of Ruth Ann's handcrafted cakes, each made with love and attention to detail. Her passion for cooking was a medium to show her love.

Ruth Ann's absence will be felt but her strong-willed spirit will live on through the memories shared and the profound impact she made on everyone she met. We celebrate Ruthie for all the love, creativity, wisdom, sassiness, and generosity she gave and for the standard she set of a life well lived.

Ruth Ann was preceded in death by her husband Donald Brooks; parents Rand and Viola Dennis; sister Laura Sue Dennis; brothers Jack, George, Pete, and RF Dennis; sons-in-law Jim Tom Hendrix and Charles Holmes; and grandson Kalab Hendrix.

Ruth Ann is survived by her brother Don Dennis and his wife Barbra; her children Donett Brooks, Terry Brooks and his wife Cindy, Tony Brooks, and Shellie Sawyer and her husband Joey; grandchildren Shayla Robertson and husband Jeffery; Zackry Hendrix and wife Jamie and their children Finley and Hutson; Kody and Hallie - children of the late Kalab Hendrix; Kjell Sawyer; Blair Ward and husband Brody and their children Byers and Poppy; Blaine Brooks and his wife Taylor and their children Brewer, Brett, Baron, and Bowen; and Brooks Sawyer; in addition to numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

A service to honor Ruth Ann’s life will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Methodist Church of Blanchard. She will be laid to rest at the Blanchard Cemetery. A viewing will be held at Eisenhour Funeral Home in Blanchard from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Friday, March 8, 2024, with the family present to receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Those wishing to commemorate Ruth Ann’s life are invited to contribute to the Blanchard Alumni Association in recognition of her giving nature and lifelong commitment to nurturing others. Arrangements are under the direction of Eisenhour Funeral Home of Blanchard. Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.eisenhourfh.com.