Janita Guffey Ruth

Janita Guffey Ruth, 81, passed away Friday, August 22, 2025, in Edmond, Oklahoma. She was born on October 10, 1943, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Vernon E. and Vernie B. Guffey. Janita attended Harding High School and the University of Oklahoma, where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and received a BA degree in English in 1965. While at OU, she met her husband Charles P. Ruth on a blind date, and they married on August 21, 1965.

After living in Houston, Dallas, and Tulsa, Janita and Charles and their three children moved to Edmond, where she was active in fund raising for the Edmond Educational Endowment (now the Edmond Public Schools Foundation) and served as a board member for the Junior League of Oklahoma City, Tri Delta State Rush Chairman for her chapter and as a member of the Edmond Women’s Club. She enjoyed book clubs, Bible studies, Tai Chi, Pilates, playing bridge, and being a part of the Episcopal Church Women at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Edmond, OK.

Janita was preceded in death by her parents, and after 40 years of marriage, by her husband Charles. She is survived by sons John of Edmond, OK and David of Portland, OR, and daughter Anne and her husband David Velez Cuevas of Los Angeles, CA; granddaughters Ava, Ft. Collins, CO, Grace, Atlanta, GA, Liv, Denver, CO, and Emma and Olivia, Clermont, FL; brothers Jerry and wife Linda Guffey of Healdsburg, CA and John Guffey of Edmond, OK; three nephews Shawn, Brian and Craig Guffey of Edmond, OK and three nieces Robin and husband Hank Kearns of Ashland, OR, Sheila Guffey, Oklahoma City, and Carrie and husband Jason Lish of Geyserville, CA; and great niece Catherine and three great nephews Blake, Hank Jr, and Emmett.

A memorial service will be held at 1pm Thursday, September 4th at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Edmond, OK. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church or to the HOPE Center of Edmond.