Ruth Bernice Terronez was born February 15, 1934, at her home near Dwight Mission in Oklahoma. She died Friday, July 30, 2021, in Stroud at the age of 87 years.
Terronez, a graduate of Sallisaw High School, studied at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla., and East Central University in Ada, Okla., earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She was a preschool director in Chandler and retired after 31 years of teaching elementary school in Davenport, Hitchita, Okla., and Fort Gibson, Okla . She was of the Catholic faith.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Charles Hicks and Mattie Elizabeth Fields; her husband of 62 years, Vacilio Eugene “Gee” Terronez; nine siblings; her daughter Ruth Kateri Massingill; one grandson and one granddaughter.
Survivors include five children and their spouses, Vacilio Eugene “Gene” and Pam Terronez II of Forestburg, Texas, Bruce Anthony and Rhonda Terronez of Davenport, Karen Kaye Hunt of Fort Gibson, Kevin Kris Terronez of Stillwater, Okla., and Jon Kyle and Christy Terronez of Chandler; 20 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and other family and friends.
Funeral services were Friday, August 6, 2021, at Fort Gibson National Cemetery under the direction of Lescher-Millsap Funeral Home, Fort Gibson.