Ruth Vernell Hensley

Funeral services for Ruth Vernell (Richard) Hensley, a Coalgate resident, will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2025 (today) at 2:00 p.m. at Brown’s Funeral Chapel in Coalgate with James Poulin officiating. Burial will be in Lehigh Cemetery with Brown’s Funeral Service of Coalgate in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Hensley was born on March 10, 1941, to J.T. and Dorthy Lee (Privett) Richard, at Belton, Texas. She passed away on May 3, 2025, at Muskogee, Oklahoma, surrounded by her loving family. Ruth was 84 years, 1 month and 23 days old. She attended schools in Belton and Austin, Texas, and Atoka, Oklahoma. Ruth was a devoted housewife and a loving homemaker.

She married Arvin Chester Hensley on August 8, 1960, at Centrahoma, Oklahoma. He would always call her Nelly Bell. They were married almost 54 years before his passing on July 26, 2014. Ruth was of the Pentecostal faith. She enjoyed playing the piano, fishing, camping, and arguing with the grandkids. Ruth looked forward to McDonald’s trips where she would order a caramel frappe and a bacon, egg and cheese McGriddle.

She loved helping people in need, especially feeding them her home cooked meals. Ruth loved talking to Shirley on the phone for hours. She also liked reminding Mary that she was the oldest so they needed to listen to her! Ruth’s favorite times were spent with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be truly missed.

Survivors include her children, Nina Siddiau, Doyle Dewayne Cook, both of Oklahoma City, Brenda Kay Hensley of Coalgate, Terry Arvin Hensley of Tupelo, Gary Dean Hensley of Daisy, Angelia Kim Hensley of Tupelo and James Poulin and wife Deanna of Noble, OK; grandchildren, Jared Jennings, Brandon Jennings, Amanda Jennings, Prim Gibson and husband Jason, Melissa Ramirez, Christopher Cook, Zoey Hensley, Jessica Weis, Crystal Brightwell, T. T. Hensley, Tammy Hensley, StevenGoodwich,RhondaSoto and husband David, Bradley Hensley, Whitney Hensley, Noe Escamilla, Reina Buckley and husband Tyson, Abraham Escamilla and partner Rylie Trent, Leland Buchanan and Landon Buchanan; great-grand baby, the Big Boss, Aiyana Buckley; along with other great-grandchildren and great-greatgrandchildren; siblings, Mary Richard, Jerry Richard, both of Atoka, Donny Richard and wife Gloria and Kenny Richard, all of Oklahoma City; special nieces and nephews, Randy and Michael Moore, Logan, Dillon, Brady and wife Emily, Spencer, Parker and Hannah Moore, Becky Cole, Gayla Cole, Darrell Cole, Mike Hensley, Joyce Hensley and Cory Richard; sister-in-law, Lola May Cole; along with numerous other family members and many dearly loved friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, J. T. and Dorthy Richard; husband, Arvin Chester Hensley; grandson, Brandon Keith Davis Hensley; great-grandson, Ty Jennings; brother, Jackie Richard; sister, Betty Jeanette Richard; niece Amy Owens and sister-in-law, Shirley Richard and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and other family.

Casketbearers will be Noe Escamilla, Abraham Escamilla, Leland Buchanan, Landon Buchanan, Darrell Cole, and Paul Wayne Buchanan. Honorary bearers will be Reina Buckley, Zoey Hensley and Dee Hensley.

Condolences may be sent to the family by email to: brownsfscoalgate@sbcglobal. net. Please reference the name of the deceased in your correspondence.