Ruth Dixon Baker of Moscow, Idaho died peacefully Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at the age of 97 at her Moscow home. She was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma on May 17, 1920 to Henry Jefferson Dixon and Cora Oliphant Dixon. Ruth was raised in a large, loving "yours, mine, and ours" family that had nine children, of whom she was the youngest. She married Charles Ernest Baker on July 7, 1946 in Ardmore, Oklahoma. To help her husband through medical school, she worked several jobs as a telephone operator and secretary. Over the years Charles and Ruth lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and settled in Enid, Oklahoma in 1961. They later moved to Austin, Texas in 1979, then she moved to Moscow, Idaho in 2006 to be with her daughter's family, during which time she was a member of the Trinity Reformed Church.
Ruth loved art of all kinds, especially watercolor painting. She had an incredible eye for color and perspective. She also loved music and enjoyed singing in church. They attended the Nazarene church and then later were active members of the Garriott Road Church of Christ in Enid, where Charles was an elder. She enjoyed entertaining in her role as an elder's wife and also taught Sunday school. One of her favorite jobs was creating and making beautiful bulletin boards and painting murals for the church nursery. Those murals are still on display there today.
Although Ruth had painful health problems all her life, including surviving polio at age 4, she was always the cheerful optimist who found life to be a fascinating adventure. Her quick wit and personality stayed strong through her failing health issues and she was always able to crack a joke and make you laugh.
Ruth is survived by her son, Jonathan C Baker, M.D. (wife Beverly) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and her daughter, Rebecca Hill of Moscow, Idaho, as well as 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She was so proud and happy to be called "Grandmama" and "GiGi". She was preceded in death by her husband Charles and her eight siblings.
A family graveside service will be held at Hutto, Texas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons at 1-866-382-4253 or P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.
Arrangements are being handled by Kimball Funeral Home, and condolences may be left at www.kimballfh.com.