Ruth Jeanne (Jarvis) Stokes, age 99, of Stewart, TN, passed away December 25, 2024.
Ruth was born September 24,1925 in Haileyville, OK, daughter of Thorne Hamilton Jarvis & Ruth Taylor Jarvis. In addition to her parents, she is now reunited in heaven with her husband of 76 years, Dwight T. Stokes, her brother Charles Edward Jarvis, and her sister Betty Lou Jarvis Hoshell.
Ruth met Dwight in Princeville, IL where they both sang in the church choir and attended school together. After graduating high school in Cambridge, IL she began nurses training in Iowa City, IA. They married on August 23, 1945 prior to Dwight deploying to Europe with the U.S. Army during WWII. Upon his return, Ruth worked while Dwight finished college. They lived in Illinois and California while they raised their dear children, and retired to their farm in Stewart, TN in 1975. Ruth played a major part in establishing their life on the farm and was a dedicated gardener who routinely preserved produce for year-round use.
Ruth delighted in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and devoted time to each of them, making them feel special and loved. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed outfitting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in beautiful handmade and smocked clothing. She was known for making dinners for each family member on their birthday and always made special treats including her staple homemade bread, elderberry jelly, her famous A-to-Z bread, and her specialty – homemade peanut brittle that she gifted to family each Christmas Eve, including this year. She was kind and loving with such a warmth about her that she was instantly considered a treasure to anyone who met her. Her faith was steadfast and personal to her and shone brightly as she demonstrated and extended Jesus’ love to others with her always-cheerful demeanor and fervent prayers for those around her.
Survivors include her daughter Linda Stokes Watters & Chris (Stewart, TN) and son Greg Stokes (Kewanee, IL). Her grandchildren include Rebecca Watters (Nashville, TN), Kathryn Watters Van Fleet (Lexington, KY), Adam Watters & Joyce (Stewart, TN), Melissa Watters Cavallini & Kent (Stewart, TN), Ethan Watters & Mandy (Maryville, TN), Julia Watters Wilson & Chris (Martin, TN) and Lydia Watters Justo & Kenon (Louisville, KY). She delighted in her fourteen great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 30, 2024 at Dyers Creek Church, located at 970 Hwy 79, Dover, TN, 37058. The Stokes family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the hour of service Monday afternoon at the church. Burial will be held privately in the Stokes Family Cemetery, Green Cathedral.
Memorial contributions may be made to Leatherwood Asbury Church, designated for missions, 2912 Leatherwood Rd, Stewart, TN, 37175.
Arrangements are in the care of McReynolds Nave & Larson Funeral Home, 1209 Madison St, Clarksville, TN 37040; (931) 647-3371.