Ruth Alene Ames

 Ruth Ames, formerly of Coffeyville, shed this mortal coil into the arms of Jesus on Friday, January 31, 2025. She was a beloved Mother to Kathy, Grandmother to Erin, and Aunt Ruth to so many.

Born Ruth Aline Transue on March 6, 1931 to Charley and Louesea Transue in Nowata County, Oklahoma, the eighth of nine children. Ruth met her future husband Philip “Vernon” Ames when they were children growing up on adjoining farms in the Chapel Springs District. They married on March 21, 1949 and she graduated from Lenapah High School in May of the same year. Ruth and Vernon were happily married until his death in June of 2001.

Ruth and Vernon were living in South Coffeyville in March of 1954 when they had their only child, and apple of their eye, Kathy. Kathy married Ed Pruitt in 1972, and they became Grandparents when Erin, the sunshine of their life, was born. She was a doting mother and grandmother that was so very proud of her family.

Ruth had a fierce work ethic and worked at a number of places in the area including Funk Manufacturing and Rok-A-Chair Manufacturing. She was later the proprietor of Ruth’s Hilltop Upholstery Shop for many years and helped Vernon run their 80-acre farm. In retirement, she “slowed down” by working at Homeland and greeting people at Walmart. 

She also had a fierceness in how she lived her life. It could be seen when she faced down an angry bull with a pitchfork (she won). This fierceness could also be seen when someone she loved had been mistreated. She definitely showed her fierceness when she decided to put her life in danger and teach Erin to drive. She was the fiercest in her Christian faith. It was evident every day, to everyone who knew her that her faith in Jesus was absolute and unwavering.

Ruth is preceded in death by the love her life Vernon, her parents, her 8 siblings, and her granddaughter Devan. She is survived by her daughter Kathy Pruitt, Son-in-law Ed Pruitt, Granddaughter Erin Menze, and Grandson-in-law Andrew Menze.

Funeral services celebrating Ruth’s life will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 11am at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, Kansas, niece Elizabeth Inman of Dream Big Ministries will be officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday, February 7, 2025 from 5 to 7pm also at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel. Cremation will take place following the service and Ruth will be inurned at North Edna Cemetery next to her late husband Vernon Ames at a later date. The family has requested for those who choose to honor Ruth’s life by memorial contribution that they be made payable to either Dream Big Ministries or Homestead of Owasso-Activity Fund for the residents where she resided. To leave an online message of condolence, share a memory or view live streaming of the service visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com