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Q: Who Is MORE FREE Than A Butterfly? A: Ruth Lavelle McMahon Bennett! Arrived: June 13, 1927 Set Free: September 4, 2013
Her life began in the uncertainty of loss, as "Mary Magdalene Daley" on June 13, 1927, to birth-parents Henry and Alice Daley --who, along with several birth-siblings, were taken from her in a tragic accident, at less-than 6 weeks of age. Stability was reestablished when she was welcomed into the adoptive home of Oliver and Edna McMahon, who re-christened her RUTH LAVELLE MCMAHON. The caprock country around Post, TX. provided the "growing grounds" for her girlhood, which was also the time when books became a passion --after having taught herself to read at age 3, then devouring every book she could get hold of --including her brother Louis' books, before he even had a chance to read them --much to his consternation-- though he was 7 years her senior. Her incessant reading, and knowledge gained thereby, made it possible for Ruth to skip-ahead two grade levels, thus graduating from Post High School, in 1943, at only 15-years-old.
Around the time of World War II, father Oliver McMahon gifted his daughter with the family dry-goods store in Post, TX., which became "The Lavelle Shop," remaining under Ruth's direction for more-than 30 years. College consisted of separated, individual semesters, with time invested at Bethany Peniel College (now Southern Nazarene University) and Pasadena Nazarene College, That latter college stint resulting in her marriage on September 24, 1954, to William R. 'Bill' Bennett, also attending Pasadena, at the time. She taught Grade School for one year at Southland, TX., but succumbed to 'burn-out' after being saddled with the combined 3rd and 4th grades in one classroom, while also having to serve as School Nurse for the entire K-12 grades. Her passion for books and reading prompted her to seek Library Certification, which she began at North Texas State University, in Denton, TX., and completed in 1968. The High School at Lorenzo, TX., provided her first librarian job, for the year 1966-67, then moving on to become School Librarian for Crosbyton High School from 1967, until retirement in 1995 --although a dedication to book, bible, and hymnal repair remained integral throughout her life The couple moved from Crosbyton, TX., to Crescent, OK., in 2004 , to be closer to their daughters and family.
While Ruth had been subject to any number of physical conditions that tried to place limits on her life, she persevered despite them, with a spirit of joy, until a massive stroke, Sunday, September 1, brought her to the final place of peace and completion, on Wednesday night, September 4.
Ruth was preceded into eternity by her mother Edna Redd McMahon, a Nazarene Minister who specialized in "chalk talks" about God's Love, father Oliver V. McMahon, a long-time Postal employee and Secretary/Treasurer for the West Texas District Church of the Nazarene, and by her brother Louis McMahon, a minister and evangelist for the Church of the Nazarene and the Methodist Church, sister-in-law Rachel McMahon, a niece Skye McMahon Buswell, and a number of great grandchildren lost before birth.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Bennett, of Crescent, OK, daughter Patti Orcutt and husband Dale Orcutt, of Crescent, OK, daughter Judi Rogers and her husband Steve Rogers, of Ponca City, OK, granddaughter Chantel Gurley and husband Brandon Gurley Ponca City, OK, and granddaughter Kira Orcutt, Crescent, OK; great granddaughters Kyleigh and Ariadne Gurley, both of Ponca City, OK., in addition to a number of nieces and nephews.
~A Lover Of ALL Butterflies~ As Autumn arrives, watch the Monarch Butterflies passing in migration, and remember Ruth Bennett, who came flitting amongst the flowers of our lives, bringing moments of color and joy. Her life and determination, an inspiration; her pain is past; her future secured.
A service in Celebration of the Life of Ruth Lavelle McMahon Bennett is set for 10a.m. Monday, September 9, 2013, at First Church of the Nazarene, in Crescent, OK.
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