Ruby Elaine Putnam

Elaine Putnam Funeral service for Ruby Elaine Putnam, age 89, of Tipton, Oklahoma, was at 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 4, 2009, at the Tipton Church of Christ, with Mike Suiter, officiating. Ms. Putnam passed away Friday, May 1, 2009, in Altus, Oklahoma. A private burial was in the Frederick Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Tipton Funeral Home. She was born on November 10, 1919, in Groesbeck, Texas, to Pliny and Cordelia (Cowart) Oates. She grew up in Seguin, Texas, where she attended school, where her parents taught until the eighth grade. She then attended Seguin High School, where she graduated in 1937. After graduation, she enrolled in Southwest Texas State Teacher's College in San Marcos, Texas. While there, she met her husband, Tilly Noah Putnam, from Edna, Texas, and they were married on February 22, 1941. After graduation, they taught school together for five years, until their first son, Larry, was born. She then became a "stay at home" mother. As the boys got older, she returned to teaching 2nd grade at Del Valley Schools. In 1966, they moved to Tipton, Oklahoma, where Tilly became the Superintendent at the Tipton Children's Home and she worked as a staff member. She helped by teaching a Bible class for the girls, "Pearls for Girls" and teaching piano lessons to any child that was interested. In 1984, after 19 years of service at the Tipton Children's Home, they retired and moved into their own home which they had built in Tipton. After 55 years of marriage, Tilly passed away on July 22, 1996. She was a member of the Tipton Church of Christ were she taught Bible class. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Tilly Noah Putnam, on July 22, 1996; and a sister: Mildred Oates Chenault. She is survived by two sons: Larry Putnam and wife Deborah, of Tipton, Oklahoma; and Lynn Putnam, of Nashville, Tennessee; a sister: Verna Gray and husband Billy, of Tipton, Oklahoma; and one granddaughter: Lindsey Putnam. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tipton Children's Home, Box 370, Tipton, Oklahoma, 73750, in loving memory of Elaine Putnam. Tipton Funeral Home 580-667-5241