Funeral services will be held for Juanita ‘Ruth’ Mitchell Steagall Robertson, 94, of Chickasha at 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 20, 2012, at the Epworth United Methodist Church with Dr. Rockford Johnson officiating.
Juanita ‘Ruth’ Mitchell was born on August 16, 1917, in Ringgold, Texas, to Robert Fain Mitchell & Mabel Ruth (Hedgpeth) Mitchell. She died on Thursday, July 19, 2012, at home in Chickasha.
Ruth grew up in Bonita, Texas. She received her teaching certificate and Bachelor’s degree from North Texas State Teachers College and a Master of Education degree from West Texas State College. She was a life-long educator who spent 37 years teaching in the Texas public schools of Forestburg and Sanford-Fritch ISD. She was named Teacher of the Year for the 1965-66 school year. Ruth lived in the Sanford-Fritch area for 58 years before moving to the Chickasha area in 1999.
In January of 1938 Ruth married George R. Steagall and to that union her six children were born. She later married Leo Holland in 1978 and Jack Robertson in 1993, both of whom preceded her in death.
She was highly regarded as a teacher and friend, always devoted to her children and students, and was an example of integrity and strength to all who knew her. She was a member of the Texas State Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma and Epworth United Methodist Church. She was always generous with her time and enjoyed volunteering at the hospital and mentoring students as a tutor after retirement.
She was preceded in death by: both parents; husbands, George Steagall, Leo Holland and Jack Robertson; granddaughter, Jana Beth Steagall; great-grandson, Scott Steagall; daughter-in-law, Linda Steagall; and sisters, Johnie and Helen.
Survivors include: children, Russell Don ‘Red’ Steagall & wife Gail, Carroll Leon Steagall, Barry Fain Steagall, SueAnne Williams & husband Alan, David Lynn Steagall & wife Nancy, and Daniel Mitchell Steagall & wife Shelia; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Bluebonnet Youth Ranch, PO Box 90, Yoakum, TX 77995, http://www.bbyr.org .
Interment will be in the Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.