Ruth Ellen Quinnett

Ruth Ellen Quinnett passed peacefully on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, in Oklahoma City, OK. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church, Yukon, OK. Preceding the Mass, there will be a Rosary service at 10:00 a.m., at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church Chapel. Interment will be at 2:00 p.m., at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Okarche, OK.

Ruth Ellen was born August 21, 1935 (the oldest of 5 children) to Everett and Gertrude Meyer.  She was raised on the family farm in Canadian County, OK.  She had many fond memories of farm life, and its lessons served her well in the years to come. She was especially close with her Dad and smiled warmly when recalling the many fun things they did together, including her Dad taking her to dancing lessons in Concho.

At age 17 she graduated El Reno High School, moved to Oklahoma City, took a job with Southwestern Bell, and lived at the YWCA.  It wasn't long after her move that she caught the eye of David Quinnett.  Their dates included a romantic outing to the Oklahoma City Zoo, going to church, and fixing a meal together. They were engaged and married a year later.

Ruth Ellen and David raised their four children in Yukon.  She took a leave of absence from Southwestern Bell to raise the kids and returned to work after their youngest reached age 5.  Then, she managed both a professional and personal life as she and David cared for their family.

Ruth Ellen had a long, successful career with Southwestern Bell, being the first woman in the history of the company to reach the President's Club.  In 1987, she retired as a Sales Manager from Southwestern Bell and then in 1990, at David's retirement, moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas. They loved Bella Vista's rolling hills, beautiful trees, and gentle streams. Her grandchildren were frequent visitors to their Arkansas home and delighted in the annual summer camps.

In 2000, her loving husband David Quinnett passed. In 2002, she married Monty Jones, whom she and David, years earlier, had met at a "who's coming to dinner" event.

After 15 years of marriage together, Monty passed away in 2017.  Ruth Ellen moved back to Oklahoma City to be close to her children and grandchildren.

Ruth Ellen valued honesty, fairness, and hard work, all qualities she instilled in her family. Her Catholic faith was quite important to her, but she was always open to hearing ideas from other Christian faiths.

She dearly loved her family, including four children, six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.  In her final days, many hospital staff remarked that they were touched by the family's commitment and love for her.

Ruth Ellen is survived by daughters, Susan (Rich) Wiggins of Hot Springs Village, AR; Denise (Timothy) Parsons of Mustang, OK, and Karen (Terry) Stevens of Oklahoma City, OK; son, Gary Quinnett of Nichols Hills, OK; grandchildren, Jennifer, Zachary, April, Andrea, Michelle and Lyndsey; great-grandchildren Lauren, Cady, Luke and Conner, and brothers, Earl Meyer and Kenneth Meyer.

She is preceded in death by her parents Everett and Gertrude, husbands David and Monty, brother Gerald and sister Virginia.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4