Ruth (Spickard) Holman

Ruth Spickard Holman, a woman of indomitable spirit, sharp wit, and a century of hard-won wisdom, passed away at the age of 100. Born in Okolona, Arkansas, on August 17, 1925, to Don and Martha Spickard, Ruth’s early years were shaped by the Great Depression. Rather than daunting her, those lean years provided the bedrock for the resilience and "steel" that would define her for the next ten decades.
On April 11, 1942, Ruth entered a partnership that would last over half a century when she married George L. Holman in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Together, they settled in Idabel, Oklahoma, to raise their two children, Douglas and Melissa. While Ruth and George were known for their tireless work ethic, their happiest hours were spent in the quiet beauty of the outdoors—camping at Beavers Bend or waiting for a bite on the line at Lake Raymond Gary.
Ruth was a vibrant woman of specific passions. She was a devotee of OU Sooner football, a patient bird watcher, a daily reader of the Bible, and a formidable opponent at bingo and word searches. She was defined by a rare "tenacity"—a strong-willed independence. Yet, this toughness was balanced by an immense pride in her family. Her home always featured the newest photographs of her children, grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; she was their fiercest advocate and most vocal historian.
Having lived through the pivotal moments of modern history—from the tragedy of Pearl Harbor and the anxieties of World War II to the dawn of the internet and a global pandemic—Ruth became the family’s North Star. She was famous for her "Ruthisms," most notably the conviction that "the one thing no one can take away from you is an education."
Ruth’s legacy of strength and survival is carried on by her devoted family.
Preceded in death by: Her beloved husband, George; her son, Douglas Holman; and her parents, Don and Martha Spickard
 Survived by: Her daughter, Melissa Swales and husband Shane; her grandchildren, Joan and George D. Holman, Leah and Chad Brumbaugh, and Angela and Shannon Quinn
Great-Grandchildren: Ava Brumbaugh, Emma Brumbaugh and Carson Seabolt, Liam Quinn, Cillian Quinn, Matthew Holman, Renee Holman, and Victoria Newiger
Great-Great Grandchild: Zelda Newiger
Services will be private.
The family suggests that those wishing to honor Ruth’s memory consider a contribution to Porta Caeli House, an organization dedicated to dignity and compassionate care. • Online: cceok.org/porta-caeli-house, By Mail: Porta Caeli House, c/o Catholic Charities, P.O. Box 580460, Tulsa, OK 74158-0460.
 

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