She was born in Oklahoma City on September 9, 1928 to William S. and Tillian (Tickness) James. Ruth married Cecil James in Stigler, Oklahoma December 21, 1947. She received her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Southeastern State College and her Masters degree in Education and Psychology from Northeastern Oklahoma State University. She was very proud of her Indian Heritage, she enjoyed singing at church, tribal and civic events. She was a member of the Talihina Baptist Church, and was choir director for several years. She was known as the Choctaw Nightingale, she was given that name by Chief Jimmy Belvin. She was as past Choctaw Elder of the year for District #2, Oklahoma Federation of Indian Woman's Indian of the year. She taught at the Lone Star School, New Weathers School, Mount Washington, Talihina and Whitesboro schools and was a counselor at Bacone College for 20 years. Many will remember her singing the Lord's Prayer with one of her daughters accompanying her in the Indian Sign Language. She was very proud of her Indian Heritage, she enjoyed singing at church, tribal and civic events. She was a member of the Talihina Baptist Church, and was choir director for several years. She was known as the Choctaw Nightingale, she was given that name by Chief Jimmy Belvin. She was as past Choctaw Elder of the year for District #2, Oklahoma Federation of Indian Woman's Indian of the year. She taught at the Lone Star School, New Weathers School, Mount Washington, Talihina and Whitesboro schools and was a counselor at Bacone College for 20 years. Many will remember her singing the Lord's Prayer with one of her daughters accompanying her in the Indian Sign Language.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters, Florence Stevenson and Mary James; brothers, Edwin James, Leroy James and Woodrow James.

She is survived by two daughters, Gen and William Takes Horse of Colbert, Sharon James-Schmidt M.D. and Joe Schmidt of Talequah; son, Mark S. James, M.D. of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Adam and Kathy Takes Horse, Tana and Vincent Cleamons, Jr., Jacob Schmidt, Aaron Schmidt and Kara Schmidt; great grandson, Vincent "Tre" Cleamons III; sister, Esther James Caesar of Disney, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Ramona and Henry Hartgers of Tulsa; brother-in-law, Joe Gibbs of Sherman Texas; 2 nieces, 12 nephews and other relatives and friends. Pallbearers for the service will be Mark Jaames, Adam Takes Horse, Joe Schmidt, George Stevenson, Mike Gibbs and Aaron Schmidt. Honorary, James Schmidt, Aaron Grey.

Services will be held Monday, March 5, 2012, 1 p.m. at the Talihina First Baptist Church with Kip Heth and Ollie Heth officiating.

Interment will follow at the Sardis Cemetery under the direction of Talihina Funeral Home.