Alva Review-Courier -

Ruth Ann Maxwell Gatz, "Ruthie," 83, peacefully graduated to Heaven on March 12, 2024, in Richmond, Texas. She was born on December 6, 1940, in Alva, Oklahoma, to Marshall Rhodes Maxwell and Evelyn Florence (Baum) Maxwell.

Ruth Ann was the middle sister to Alycen and Lucille Maxwell. They were all three very accomplished musicians and pianists. In addition to being a talented pianist, Ruth Ann also loved to sing, dance, play the flute and perform in theatre. She was very busy as a high school student and was a member of the National Honor Society, Y-teens, yearbook, choir, band, theatre, Rainbow girls and the "Bugettes."

While she was in high school, she started dating her high school sweetheart, who later became her fiancé and husband, Jimmie Gatz. She attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University for two years and married Jimmie Ray Gatz on May 28, 1961. From Alva, the newlyweds moved shortly after to pursue their degrees at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She graduated with her bachelor's degree in education with a minor in French and Spanish.

Ruth Ann taught elementary school briefly in Altamont, Kansas. They later moved to Tucson, Arizona, where their oldest son, Greg, was born. They moved to Hooker, Oklahoma, next and Brad was born in Liberal, Kansas. Later, they returned to Alva to raise their children and so that Jim could pursue farming and raising animals with his father and brother. Gina was the youngest child and was born a couple of years after returning to Alva.

Ruth Ann spent the rest of her days being a devoted and caring wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, piano teacher, Sunday school teacher, volunteer, choir member, square dancer, "Walkie Talkie" member, a PEO sister, United Methodist Women member, and Kingsland Baptist member. She moved to Katy, Texas, in 2000 to be near her grandchildren and attended nearly every event they participated in.

She always looked for the best in others and tried to help others to never feel left out. She had such a sweet ministry of sending cards to others. She taught her children how to pray, to forgive, to be thankful, and about how much Jesus loved everyone. She taught that it was ok to not be perfect. She demonstrated love and compassion in her home and in her community. She loved babies! She always loved to greet others with her friendly smile and make them feel welcome, included, encouraged and special. She wanted to make the world a better place for all.

She was a tiny lady who often reminded others that dynamite comes in small packages. The most important thing in her life was prayer, reading the Bible and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ so that others would also have eternal salvation and forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ!

Her favorite Bible verse was John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." She fought the good fight; she kept the faith ... through all of the tragedies and struggles in her life. May her legacy of faith, kindness, integrity and mercy continue for 1,000 generations!

Nearly 41 years after her husband passed away on March 16, 1983, she has finally been reunited with him! She is enjoying meeting Jesus and celebrating with her family and friends who have passed before her ... she must be dancing the Jitterbug with Jimmie!

Ruth Ann is survived by her three children, Gregory Jim Gatz and wife Angela (of Coweta, Oklahoma), Bradley Ray Gatz and wife Andrea (of Katy, Texas) and Gina Lou Gatz Cornelius (of Richmond, Texas); six grandchildren, Andrew, Rebekah and husband Patton, Bailey and husband Ben, Cole, Jonathan, Anna; her two sisters Alycen Yoder and Lucille Rhodes, her brother-in-law Joe Gatz; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Jimmie Ray Gatz.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in her name be made to the Alva Cory Washburn Swimming Pool fund in Alva, Oklahoma, or the Go Beyond Missions program at Kingsland Baptist Church in Katy, Texas.

The family would like to especially thank the caregivers who took care of our precious mother in the final months and to all of our friends and family who have been so supportive and helpful in multiple ways.

A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, March 23, 2024, in the worship center of Kingsland Baptist Church in Katy, Texas. Visitation was from 9 to 10 a.m. and the funeral began at 10 a.m. The service was livestreamed at Kingsland.org/memorialservice. A graveside service and burial will be in Alva, Oklahoma, at the Alva Municipal Cemetery on Saturday, March 30, at 10 a.m. with a reception

to follow at the United Methodist Church in Alva.