Ruth Evangeline (Huggins)Gillock, age 94, of Arkansas City, Kansas, passed away at her home June 22, 2011 from heart failure. She had been home bound for over ten years in declining health.

Ruth was born on March 8, 1917 to Ivan G. Huggins and Mary E. (Stout) Huggins in Belle Plaine, Kansas. She grew up in Wichita until age 17 and then her family moved to Udall in 1934 and graduated from Udall High School – one of twelve graduates. From 1935-37 she attended college at Southwestern College in Winfield and received a teaching certificate. She then taught elementary school for six years.

In 1943 she went to work for the Army Air Force at Strother Field in Winfield. After WWII ended, she worked several places in Arkansas City at Cook-Pitts Motors, Gardner Smith Gardner Insurance Agency and B. A. Tubbs Motor Company.

Ruth married Thomas Chatham Gillock on February 26, 1944 while he was on leave while serving in the Navy. While he was on active duty, she lived with his mother in Arkansas City.

In January, 1947, Ruth and Tom gave birth to their only son, Thomas Wayne Gillock.

Ruth began working as a secretary in 1955 for Dean Galle at the Arkansas City Junior College. She held several positions while she was there, including Secretary to Dr. Paul Johnson, the first President of Cowley County Community College and Secretary to Dr. Given Nelson, the second President. She was also Secretary to the Board of Trustees and bookkeeper for the College Endowment Association. After 31 years with the college, she retired in 1986.

Ruth also served at Treasurer for the First United Methodist Church in Arkansas City, as well as wedding coordinator and consultant until her health began to fail in 1995.

Ruth was very active in the community through the years. She held several positions in a number of groups. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Desk and Derrick, American Legion Auxiliary, Arkansas City Music and Dramatic Club, United Methodist Women's Church Circle, 8 and 40, and Kansas Retired Teachers Association.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas C. Gillock, June 15, 2010, her parents and all her sisters and brothers: Matthew, Irvin, and Mark Huggins, and Edith (Huggins) Groene.

She is survived by her son, Thomas Wayne Gillock and his wife, Joy Leuthard, of Choctaw, Oklahoma, her niece Theresa Jo (Groene) Waite and her husband Dwaine Waite; her sister-in-law, Virginia Huggins of Sabetha, Kansas, a cousin, Ardell Gimple of Douglas, Kansas and numerous nieces, nephews and other cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Monday, June 27, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church in Arkansas City. Interment will follow at Ninnescah Cemetery south of Udall, Kansas. Friends may call from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M., Sunday, June 26, 2011 at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. The family will greet friends during that time.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest a memorial be made in Ruth's name for the Sjogrens Foundation or for the First United Methodist Church in Arkansas City. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.