Ruth Elaine Shaw

Ruth Elaine Shaw, 91, of Harrah, OK left this life on July 22, 2020 in Harrah for her rewards in Heaven where she was reunited with a host of friends and loved ones. She was born on December 4, 1928 at the farm home of her paternal grandparents, Ella and A.M. Maxey, in the State Center community near Jones, OK. She was the daughter and only child of Walter V. Maxey and Gladys Pirkle Maxey. Ruth married Bob Shaw in 1948 and moved to Harrah. They were married 46 years when Bob passed away in 1994. She was also preceded in death by her parents. Ruth graduated from State Center High School in 1946, from UCO in 1950 and received her Master’s Degree from Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX in 1955. She taught math for 39 years. She was encouraged by one of her former teachers, then superintendent at Choctaw, to begin teaching on a temporary certificate before finishing college. She taught math beginning with the 1947-48 term at Choctaw High School for six years, Reagan Junior High, Wichita Falls, TX two years and returned to Choctaw High School for the next 13 years. In the fall of 1968, she began teaching at Harrah High School and taught there 18 years until she retired in 1986. Ruth was active in several professional organizations, including the Harrah United Methodist Church and the Harrah History Center where she volunteered two days a week. She enjoyed family reunions, class reunions, and family genealogy. She especially enjoyed meeting with former students and other friends, to eat and visit. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Monday, July 27, 2020 at Harrah United Methodist Church, Harrah, OK, with Pastor Dale Durnell officiating. Services will be live-streamed on the Harrah United Methodist Church Facebook page. Interment will follow at Arlington Memory Gardens, Midwest City, OK. under direction of Asa Smith Funeral Service in Harrah, OK. The Methodist Church requires that all guests wear masks for any service in their facility. Memorials may be sent to the Harrah United Methodist Church or Harrah History Center, P.O. Box 846, Harrah, OK 73045. Tributes and condolences may be placed on the funeral home website www.asasmith.net