Mary Ruth McElhaney's Obituary
In 1936, this beautiful, red-haired girl was born to Thomas Jefferson Hall and Mazie Avalon Brannum Hall. Ruthie was 5th in line of 6 children, giving Ruthie one younger brother.
Ruthie’s father owned and operated a grocery and clothing store located inside Shiloh national Park, in the State of Tennessee. Ruthie’s Mother, Mazie, had to learn to drive their Model T, so she could go to Corinth, Mississippi, once a month to get supplies for the store.
During her first driving lesson, she knocked the top off the Model T by running under the barrel of a cannon, one of many located around the park.
The Great Flood came, and all the flooding caused the Hall family (and so many others) to migrate to Arkansas. There, Ruthie’s father and older brother, James Edward Hall, built shotgun houses for the farmers in the Tyronza area. They also farmed 40 acres each, all in cotton.
Tyronza, Arkansas, is where Ruthie attended elementary school. During Fall harvest, you would find Ruthie in the cotton fields, walking alongside her father, pulling a burlap toe sack behind her, while they had Christian and real-life conversations.
In the early 50’s, Ruthie and her family moved to Tupelo, Mississippi. In Tupelo, Ruthie’s father farmed again with her brother, James E. Hall.
In 1953, God called Ruthie’s beloved father home. He had been sick for some time. He suffered with heart disease. Ruthie quit school and went to work at Levi Strauss, Inc. It was a sewing plant, and she was already familiar with a sewing machine.
In 1954, Ruthie’s older brother moved Ruthie, her mother, and her little brother to San Antonio, Texas. Ruthie went to work at one of the H.E.B. chain grocery stores. Ruthie started out on a register, and the customers quickly crowned her with the nickname “the Yellow Rose of Texas.” The manager just as quickly realized how intelligent Ruthie was, and she became the store’s bookkeeper.
Like many other girls in Texas, who were proud to be called the Yellow Rose of Texas, Ruthie’s mother entered her in the local beauty pageant. The convertible ride in the parade was as exciting as winning Miss San Antonio at the age of 19 years old.
The late 50’s had our beautiful Ruthie in the great state of Oregon. In Oregon, Ruthie will marry and too soon she becomes a widow. Born to never give up, and alone, Ruthie managed a drive-thru restaurant outside of Scappoose. She also raised two beautiful daughters.
The 80’s have now arrived, and Ruthie meets the one true love of her life, Todd Charles McElhaney, a partner to be with through the rest of what life has in store for her. Family prayers were answered.
In 1988, on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, Todd changed Ruthie’s name to McElhaney. That same day, Todd became a welcome member to our entire family.
In 1993, Todd and Ruthie moved to Yankton, Oregon. There, Todd bought, worked, and paid for the whole mountain top, for the true love of his life.
Ruthie was able to give up public working and go back in time enough to remember the life she had with her father, who was her best friend until she lost him. Todd and Ruthie put their new home on top of that mountain and Ruthie got to enjoy all of her favorite hobbies.
Ruthie planted trees and flowers. Ruthie’s father always made and planted flower beds wherever they lived. Ruthie always planted a garden, and she canned the vegetables and also shared them with others, leading her to have many wonderful friends.
Ruthie loved to quilt with her mother and sister. Now, she has the time again to enjoy this hobby. Another favorite hobby of hers is her doll collection. They would really make her eyes sparkle. But of all her hobbies, she really loved her chickens the most. She had so many eggs, she didn’t know what to do with them. Someone talked her into selling them, which turned into more work than was fun because the request for her eggs specifically was too great.
Ruthie loved to travel and sightsee, and Todd made sure she saw all she asked to see. Did I mention cooking? Ruthie’s was better than any gold star restaurant you could get a reservation in. Just ask Todd about the cookies he took to the guys at work, “Standing Ovation.” Ruthie had the biggest heart for children and animals. She adored her bird, Oscar, and always had a dog. She had 10 beautiful grandchildren that she loved dearly.
Ruthie was a true Patriot and also a dedicated contributor to the Disabled Veteran’s Association.
The life and love Ruthie and Todd shared will always be remembered by true friends and family for the rest of our lives.
Todd and Ruthie were married for 42 years. I will never forget when Todd told me that Ruthie had the most beautiful brown eyes that sparkled when you looked into them, and when she smiled, her entire face lit up. He said she was one of the most generous, caring, and loving people in the world. He said the world was a better place because she was in it.
Just knowing that Ruthie is with her father, mother, sister, brothers, and Todd’s father in God’s care now helps to dull the pain of letting her go.
I, Marjorie Hall Sutton, write this eulogy in truth and love from my heart and through direct communications with my beloved aunt, big sister, best friend, and my idol growing up. I, too, will always feel her love. Uncle Todd will see her again in eternity, our Lord and Savior says so.
A funeral mass will be held for Ruthie on April 20, 2024, at 11:00 am at St. Frederic Catholic Church in St. Helens, Oregon. A graveside will follow at Bethany Memorial Cemetery in Warren, Oregon. A reception will be held at the Warren Country Inn.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?
