Ruby Ann Goodpaster

Ruby Ann Goodpaster passed from this life on August 1, 2022. Ruby, one of 6 children born to A.H. (Ott) and Vina Thomas, came into this world on September 6, 1938, at their home in Riverside, east of Muskogee, delivered by a midwife, who was paid by Ruby’s father with a bushel of apples. Ruby married the love of her life, Robert Goodpaster, on March 2, 1956, just after he returned home from service in the Korean War. They celebrated 62 years of marriage before his death in 2018. Together they raised their two children in the house they built and lived in for 56 years. Ruby went to work in the cafeteria for the Muskogee public school system soon after her daughter started first grade. She retired as manager of the cafeteria at Muskogee High School in the mid-90s. In her free time, Ruby enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting, gardening, and other crafts. She was well-known for her cooking, going out of her way to make favorite dishes for each of her family members. Her life revolved around her family and church. Her family remembers holidays as being especially joyful occasions because she put so much time and love into decorating and planning the meals. One of her favorite enjoyments were picnics at Honor Heights Park with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ruby and her husband were active members of Eastside Church of Christ and later Westside Church of Christ, where she enjoyed teaching Sunday school and helping with VBS. Ruby is survived by her two children, son Gary Goodpaster and wife Kathy, of Austin, TX and daughter Terrye Goodpaster Hayes and husband, Don, of Haskell, OK; her two granddaughters, Amie Williams and husband, Garrett, of Bixby, OK, and Audrie Reed and husband, Jason, of Jenks, OK. She is also survived by two grandsons, Joshua Goodpaster, and Caleb Goodpaster, and wife Jamie, all from Austin, TX. Additionally, four great-grandchildren, Grace Williams, Wyatt Williams, Karsen Reed and Owen Reed; two siblings, Julie Bingham of Tulsa, OK and Barbara Brewster of Springfield, MO, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, and grandson, Donald Hayes, III. Services celebrating Ruby’s life will be at 10AM, Monday, August 8, 2022 at Central Church of Christ in Haskell, OK. Burial will take place at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. Pallbearers will be Joshua Goodpaster, Caleb Goodpaster, Garrett Williams, Jason Reed, Wyatt Williams, Karsen Reed and Owen Reed.

Ruby Ann Goodpaster

September 6, 1938 - August 1, 2022