Ruth Vaught Thompson, 98, died peacefully at home on March 31, 2007. Ruth was born May 5, 1908, in Oklahoma City, where she lived her entire life, the daughter of Judge Edgar S. Vaught and Mary Holtsinger Vaught. She attended Oklahoma City High School (which became Central High School), Hollis College, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She married Dr. Wayman J. Thompson, on November 9, 1932. They were married 56 years until his death in 1989. She attended St. Luke's United Methodist Church until 1948 when she and Wayman joined May Avenue United Methodist Church with their children. She was a dedicated member of her church circle there. A member of the Junior League of Oklahoma City, Ruth was chairman of the League's first Thrift Shop (now called the Remarkable Shop), which was in downtown Oklahoma City. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Wayman J. Thompson, Sr.; her son, Dr. Wayman J. Thompson, Jr.; her brother, Edgar S. Vaught, Jr.; ahd her sister, Eleanor Morris of El Reno. Surviving her are daughter and son-inlaw, Mary and Rowland Denman, Edmond; daughter-in-law, Ann Rivers Thompson Hutcheson, Vienna, Virginia; granddaughters, Beth Denman DeGraffenreid and husband, Robert, Oklahoma City, Amy Vaught Denman Weisz and husband, Paul, Anacortes, Washington, and Susan Thompson-Hoel and husband, John Hoel, Vienna, Virginia; great grandchildren are Jeremy and Brooke DeGraffenreid, Rachel, Elissa, Sarah and Jacob Weisz, and Jack, Tyler and Porter Hoel. She is also survived by niece, Mary Bentley, husband, John; nephews, Lee B. Thompson, Jr., Judge Ralph G. Thompson and wife, Barbara; and niece, Carolyn Zachritz and husband, Don. All the family members wish to express their deepest gratitude to DeLois Kemp, Jean Combs and Kay Mee, for their care and compassion during her last years. Ruth was very proud of her family and devoted to each one of them. Her home and her kitchen were always welcome places for friends of Wayman, Jr. and Mary. In later years, she cherished 'getting to take care of' her granddaughters. Her family and friends are left with many precious memories. Ruth was laid to rest on April 4, 2007, at Rose Hill Mausoleum, following a private family service. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2007, at 11:00 a.m., at Hahn-Cook Street & Draper Funeral Home, 6006 NW Grand Blvd. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to: Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc., 645 Madison Ave., Floor 21, New York, NY 10022-1010. Please designate for Macular Degeneration Research. (Funds will be matched).
Published in The Oklahoman on 4/10/2007.