RUTH ANN TUCKER PERKINS

Ruth Ann Tucker Perkins, 80, of Cherokee, Oklahoma, passed peacefully with her husband, Larry Perkins, son Scott Perkins and son-in-law Joe Vargyas by her side on May 17, 2017, at St. Luke’s hospital in The Woodlands, Texas, after a brief illness.

The celebration of Ruth Ann’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m., June 5, 2017 at the United Methodist Church, Cherokee. Reverend Robert Duran will be officiating. A private burial will follow at Pleasant View cemetery in Jet, Oklahoma. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Mike Chace, Strode Funeral Home, Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Ruth Ann Tucker was born in Jet, Oklahoma, on April 5, 1937, to Clyde and Lillian Tucker, the last of three sisters, Clydene Tucker Bruner and Wanda Lee Tucker Campbell. She graduated from Cherokee High School in in 1955.

Ruth Ann was married to Larry Perkins on September 21, 1956. They were married 60 years, and had one son, Scott Tucker Perkins, who was her pride and joy.

Ruth Ann worked as an office manager for Caruthers Construction for many years as well as city clerk for the City of Cherokee. Ruth Ann was a member of ESA sorority and the United Methodist Church in Cherokee. She enjoyed playing bridge with her dear friends. She also enjoyed traveling with her family to Mexico and to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she enjoyed shopping for art. She was an avid Southwest and western art collector. She was especially fond of Native American jewelry, pottery and artwork.

Ruth Ann loved her Oklahoma Sooners and was a 50-year season football ticket holder. She and her family traveled to home games, a few away games and attended the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Bluebonnet Bowl, cheering on her Sooners. She threw one helluva tailgate party in Norman, Oklahoma, during the fall, and was the first person to answer “Boomer” with a resounding “Sooner.”

Ruth Ann also loved her fur babies Hanna, Sadie and Tess. They were of great comfort to her, especially in her latter years.

Ruth Ann is survived by her husband, Larry Perkins; son Scott Tucker Perkins and son-in-law Joseph Vargyas; sister Wanda Lee Campbell and her husband Don Campbell of Jet, Oklahoma; other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father Clyde Leroy Tucker, mother Lillian Tucker, sister Clydene Bruner, brother-in-law Dan Bruner and niece Candace DeAnn Campbell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the United Methodist Church, 400 South Grand Ave, Cherokee, OK 73728 or to The Pride of Oklahoma University Band, 500 West Boyd, Norman, OK 73019.

The family wishes to thank family and friends who were always a source of strength, comfort and enjoyment that were active parts of Ruth Ann’s life. If you are so inclined, please wear red in her honor. She taught us everything we needed to know about life, except how to live without her.