FRANCES RUTH BOOTON

May 30, 1924 to January 31, 2025

Yukon, Oklahoma

Ruth's Obituary

Ruth Booton, was 100 years, 8 months and 1 day when she left this earth on January 31, 2025, at Spanish Cove Retirement Village. She was born in Lake Charles, LA in 1924 to parents Myrtle Rivette Beard and Charles Beard. She loved her now deceased brothers, Barry and Charles, her precious aunts, uncles, and cousins.  She left Louisiana after high school, moving to Dallas, where she met her husband of 64 years, Merle R. Booton (1922-2007). They had daughters, Lenda D Brown and her spouse, Richard and Deborah A Booton-Hiser and spouse Michael Hiser. She adored her grandchildren, Kerri Ruth and husband Tom; Jarred Williams and Darci; and Jeremy Hiser and wife Megan. Known as “GG,” of course her great grandchildren were the BEST: Brittni Calhoun and husband John, Dylan Lepak and Bianca, Reagan Ruth, Ecko Williams, and Olivia and Jeremiah Hiser. Extra special are Ruth’s beloved great great grandsons Noah and Caleb Calhoun, and in April the arrival of her first great great granddaughter Joanna “Ruth” Calhoun. She LOVED her family beyond words.

Ruth and Merle moved to Oklahoma City in 1945 and the germ of an idea of what would be the Booton’s Nursery and Garden Shop was planted. In 1953 they bought 10 acres at NW 63^rd and Meridian, growing shrubs and landscaping. They went on to build the first “shop” and expanded their business to a glorious full-service nursery and garden center, retiring and selling in 1992. Ruth loved her customers, many of which became lifelong friends. Ruth managed the business, and Merle was the brawn. Ruth had such foresight that she would anticipate what customers would want and then create it. As an example, Ruth was the first in Oklahoma to create beautiful terrariums and no doubt some probably continue to thrive today. In the 1980s Braums approached Ruth to see if she would make multiple silk flower arrangements for each store around the state as they redecorated and expanded their locations. She saw this as a new challenged and jumped at the opportunity. Even when she sold the nursery, Braums wanted her to continue making these arrangements so she did for about 10 more years. She made hundreds of pink, blue and yellow arrangements in white wicker baskets for them. Throughout her life, her contributions and recognitions were many. In the 80s, Oklahoma State Nurseryman’s Association awarded Ruth for her contributions to the Oklahoma Nursery Industry.

During her years building the business, she and Merle saw to it that their daughters would have every advantage that they did not have. Ruth was a Girl Scout leader for 13 years, was active as a home room mother, she made most of their clothing including those prom dresses, took them to music lessons, and made sure that each went to college – debt free upon graduation. Once the grandchildren arrived, they took center stage and all of her attention was channeled in their direction. Ruth’s home and beautiful yard were the fun place for the kids. They would take them to their cabin and later their farm. They taught them how to drive a tractor, harvest pecans, and go fishing. I think some even drove the jeep. Ruth made sure that holidays were extra special. She made big red burlap bags individualize with decorations representing each one’s likes. Some of the gifts would be handmade while others she purchased were always “the best” for each person. In her yard, Ruth had beautiful flower gardens, clematises that dazzled, roses that were 6 feet high and inexhaustible bloomers, prolific vegetable gardens and trees with an abundance of pecans and figs. Family remember with humor and trepidation that Ruth regularly shot a BB gun out the back door of her home (of 60 years) to either kill or discourage squirrels from eating the bird food. So many wonderful memories.

Ruth was also a true artist in various media. Quilting was a necessity when she grew up. However, as times changed, quilting special quilts for family members became her focus. She was a gifted sewer, even making the costumes for her high school plays, never using patterns, only pictures to create perfect apparel. Ruth crocheted, knitted and tatted at various times throughout her life. She dabbled in black and white photography, using her bathroom to develop the film. Ruth could draw almost anything – thinking anyone could do what she could do. Although an unpublished author, she wrote poems and stories. One of her earlier jobs at Neiman Marcus in Dallas, was as a cashier which she wrote a poem about the importance of a cashier. When volunteering and reading stories to children, she wrote short stories about Billy Buckaroo to children at the Children’s Chorale, Cowboy Hall of Fame. Even later she wrote her thoughts about retirement. But her most loved hobby was her incredible carving. She joined the Oklahoma Woodcarvers and honed her craft. She would find wood on the ground and it would “speak” to her and voila a remarkable image of squirrels, birds, lizards, bears, dogs and other animals would appear. Ruth’s carvings also included Native Americans, old women, angels, clowns, elves, boots, and Adam, the doll. She was commissioned by the Chandler Museum to make a wooden marionette of Bill Tilghman, who hunted outlaws in Oklahoma territory in later 19^th and early 20^th century. She looked at a few pictures and carved and painted his face, head, hat, hands and feet. She constructed the mechanism to make him move. She again created his complete outfit to period specific perfection. She subsequently was asked to make many more marionettes from this time. Still today puppet shows are performed using these marionettes to teach school children history. Ruth took no money for these incredible creations but was paid in happiness that something she created could benefit children’s education. With her love of history, she also was a docent at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum for 20 years.

Ruth was a member of Mayfair Heights United Methodist Church for about 70 years. She loved her church. Years ago, when their kitchen needed repairs, Ruth didn’t hesitate to help fund the remodel. When she no longer needed her baby grand piano, she donated it to the church. Even though she has been unable to attend services for years, she continued to tithe and keep up with the church activities. Many of the congregation, as well as Revend Paul Calkin, continued to visit her and send her sweet cards.

Ruth and Merle built their home just west of the nursery. This later became Lakeview Neighborhood as homes were built. She loved her neighbors, was a part of the neighborhood association and on their board. They started a neighborhood garden club where she shared her gardening expertise and many of her plants. Many of those neighbors have continued to keep in touch with her and share their love for her.

When Ruth was 92 years old, she realized she was unable to maintain her home and garden and needed to pursue community dwelling. She had friends who lived at Spanish Cove Retirement Village in Yukon, Ok. She visited various facilities but the “Cove” felt like the right fit. So she left her home of 60 years and relocated – the hardest thing she said she ever had to do. Once there, she moved from independent living to assisted living fairly quickly. But once in Assisted living she appreciated the great care and love from staff and realized she was in the right place. Ruth loved to watch fish in tanks, having had many guppies in her distant past. The Cove graciously allowed family to put a small 9-gallon tank in her room several years ago. She cared for 3-5 fancy tail guppies from then on. Not only did Ruth love the fish, but so too did other residents and staff as they visited. On her 100^th birthday, Ruth didn’t want any gifts but wanted to give a 150-gallon fish tank to the Cove so other residents and their families, staff and visitors could enjoy the beauty of such an aquarium. It is housed in the pavilion, accessible to all residents, staff and visitors to the Cove campus. Everyone is delighted with the aquarium. Throughout her time at the Cove, she has made great friends and loved the staff and residents. Ruth has been the recipient of love from all. 

Each weekend she would stay with Debbye and Mike outside of Harrah, enjoying being in the country, watching birds, squirrels (she was not allowed to have a BB gun), and deer. When there was inclement weather, she sat next to glass doors to look outside. Weather permitting, she was outside on the porches absorbing the sun, listening to the sounds, and seeing the beauty of nature all around her. She helped plant annuals twice a year, supervise gardening and canning, and quilted with Deb. Monthly family gatherings were her favorite times with lots of family, foods, laughter and love.

Ruth experienced many significant health challenges. Remarkably she survived them, due to her determination to live. Gradually her abilities to do what she wanted to do, became her greatest challenges. However, regardless of her personal health trials, she brightened the lives of all she came in contact – with her smiles, hugs, words of encouragement, and words of wisdom. Her passing has left huge holes in many hearts but those holes are filled with wonderful memories of this remarkable woman. She would say she was blessed throughout her life, even during very difficult times. We all are blessed because she shared her life with us.

The Celebration of Life Service will be held on February 15, 2025 at 2pm at Mayfair Heights United Methodist Church, 3131 NW 50^th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73112, officiated by Reverand Paul Calkin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105, in memory of Frances Ruth Booton.

Ruth inspired others with her strength and kindness.

Ruth’s beauty shined through in everything she did.

Ruth brought compassion and grace to the world.

Ruth’s intelligence illuminated the path for others.

Ruth was remarkable, and the world needed her gifts.

Ruth’s encouragement empowered those around her.

Ruth was a beacon of hope and inspiration.

Ruth’s uniqueness made this world a better place.