Ruth Cotten

Ruth Lovetta Chisum Cotten was born to Albert and Naomi Chisum on July 22, 1924, in Carnegie, OK, being the baby of 12 children. She passed from this life to her eternal heavenly home on June 21, 2024. The year that Ruth was born, Calvin Coolidge was President of the United States. She has lived through 17 Presidents, the Fall of the Stock Market, the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and at least six major wars where the U.S. was directly involved.

Ruth married Thomas Joel Cotten at 18 years of age on April 12, 1943. During World War II, Ruth moved to CA to work in the shipyards as a welder. Each of these women was affectionately known as “Rosie the Riveter,” due to the shortage of men workers. After the war, the couple was blessed with four children, of which three survive her today. 

Tom and Ruth pastored five churches in OK before moving to Ardmore OK in 1968 to become the Director of Missions for Enon Association of Baptist churches. Upon retirement, in 1990, the couple began a mission church in Wilhoit AZ where they were pastoring when he passed away in 1995. 

During their pastorates, they worked at Falls Creek Baptist Assembly in Davis OK for 23 years each summer. He was instrumental in establishing a state Associational Children’s Falls Creek for pre-teens in the eighties.

In 1975, they began to have a heart to help the displaced Vietnamese refugees resettle in America following the fall of the Vietnamese government. For 14 years they continued to assist approximately 300 people in getting housing, jobs, and education. Many of these became Christian during this period. Some remained in contact with Ruth up until her passing. The Vietnamese affectionately refer to Tom and Ruth as Papa and Mama.

Both Tom and Ruth shared a passion for missions and began serving on short term mission trips with International Crusades. Together they attended 15 trips all around the world. In 1989, they were serving on a three-month, short-term assignment in Germany when the Berlin Wall was taken down. After Tom’s death in 1995, Ruth continued to go with the now-called International Commission on 15 more mission trips until she was 86. 

Ruth gave her life to the Lord as a teenager and always had the desire to tell everyone of their need of her Savior. She dedicated her life to helping others know her, Lord. 

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, her 11 siblings and her husband, Thomas Joel Cotten, one son, Dennis, one granddaughter, Marcie Norwood. She is survived by her three children: Phil (Gail) Cotten, Norman OK; Nancy (Berry) Norwood, Okmulgee OK; Kathy Cartwright, Bentonville AR. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren: Jason Cotten, Aaron (Tammy) Norwood, Jaime (Joe) Keyes, and Kerry (Melissa) Middleton. Ruth also is survived by 12 great grandchildren: Jacy and Justin Cotton; Dustyn (Sade) Russell; Bryn and Jake Norwood; Connor, Madeleine, and Mavreigh Keyes; and Max (Melody), Mason, Kinley and Kolt Middleton.

Ruth resided the last six months of her earthly life at the Baptist Village in Okmulgee, OK. The Assisted Living Center provided exceptional care for her, for which the family would like to express their gratitude. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Baptist Village Okmulgee, 1500 W. 6th St., Okmulgee OK. Your gifts will be receipted for tax purposes.

Visitation for Ruth with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8pm Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in the Tribute Event Center 708 24th Ave NW, Norman, OK. A celebration of Ruth’s life will be 10:00AM Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Bethel Baptist Church 1717 West Lindsey, Norman, ok with graveside services beginning at 1:30 in Greenhill Cemetery, Davis, OK.