Ruth Elaine McCarley

Ruth Elaine McCarley, 76, a resident of Cape Coral, FL since 2013, formerly of Noblesville, IN, passed away Monday, April 24, 2023, in Cape Coral. She was born January 27, 1947, in Guthrie, OK to Charles and Mildred Wollard, now deceased.

Ruthi was a direct descendant of an original 1889 Oklahoma land rush participant. Her great-great grandmother drove a covered wagon from Kansas to Guthrie, Oklahoma by herself with two children. She comes from very strong stock.

Her mother was saved at the end of WWII as part of the Azusa Street movement of the Holy Spirit. Her father accepted the Lord as his personal savior shortly thereafter. They set the foundation for their four children from that point forward. At age four Ruthi developed an interest in piano and would pick out tunes she heard at church. At age six she was playing the piano in their small pioneer church of 30 people. She was a graduate of Southwestern Assembly of God College in Waxahachie, Texas, where she played the organ for the college’s traveling choir. Never having any formal music training and not reading music, she played from memory and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. She dedicated her piano skills to the Lord, considering it a gift from God.

She was very organized and exacting when it came to accuracy. This served her well in many diverse secretarial/administrative jobs throughout her career. She was a court reporter for the last 20+ years of her career. It also helped keep her husband of 54+ years corralled. She volunteered for 10+ years with the Care Ministry lead by Pastors Bruce and Janet Plummer, where she led music and Bible studies in numerous local nursing homes and care facilities.

She is survived by her loving husband since 1968, Charles “Chuck” T. McCarley; children, Dr. Brian McCarley (Michelle) of Noblesville, IN, and Amy McCarley (J. Kurt Duncan) of Poinciana, FL; as well as sisters, Judith Lawrence (Rex) of Oklahoma City, OK, Cathi Irving (Johnny) of Logan, NM, and Patti Byrd of Blanchard, OK.

The family would like to thank the physicians and staff at Millennium Physician Group, Lee Memorial Health Care System and Moffitt Cancer Center for their coordinated efforts to provide excellent care and support through her cancer journey.

Ruthi passed peacefully while at home with her loving husband holding her hand.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 PM on Friday, April 28, 2023, at Mullins Memorial, 3654 Palm Beach Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33916 with Pastor Dave Yannatone officiating. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation from 12:30 PM until time of service.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Ruth Elaine McCarley are suggested to your favorite CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY ORGANIZATION or MOFFITT CANCER CENTER FOUNDATION, 12902 USF MAGNOLIA DRIVE, MBC-FOUND, TAMPA, FL 33612-9416.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.