Nina Ruth Moss

Nina "Ruth" (Keel) Moss was born on the fifth of ten children April 8, 1925, in Stratford, OK, to Lewellyn Dink Keel, an original full blood Chickasaw allottee and Bessie Jackson Keel. She passed away on April 14, 2020 at the age of 95. Ruth lived on the family farm and attended public schools in Stratford, OK. As a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation, she later attended the Carter Seminary Indian School, Ardmore, OK, and the Bloomfield Academy Indian School of Achille, OK; graduating from the Chilocco Indian High School, of Newark, OK.At the outbreak of World War II, Ruth went to serve her country and worked for the Boeing Aircraft Company, with late sisters, Monzella (Keel) Golden, and Madeline Bemo, (Keel), all, working as the "Rosey the Riveter's" Group, for the Aircraft Company, 1941-1945, which was located in Wichita, Kansas.After the War, Ruth worked for the Montgomery Ward Company as a switchboard operator in Oklahoma City, first downtown and then Penn Square for over 30 years. She liked to travel and made several trips around the country. She only learned to drive after her retirement when she became the care taker for the family. On that list was her late father, L.D. Keel, of Stratford, OK; her brother, Earl Keel; and her son, Jim Ahtone. She also, gave many hours of her time, and service to the family when called upon for home care.Ruth was preceded in death by her one son, Dr. Jim Ahtone, PhD, a Chickasaw/Kiowa who also served his country in the U.S. Army and worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in El Reno, Oklahoma until his death.Ruth is survived by her brothers, Robert Keel, of Oklahoma City, Leland Keel of Hamilton, VA, and a sister, Betty (Keel) Lucas, of Oklahoma City.She is also survived by her nephews, Tommy Thompson, Robert Bemo, Steve Lucas, Lou Keel, and niece, LuAnn Lucas Miller, of Oklahoma City, along with other nephews, Jay Keel of Ada, OK, and Lynden Keel, of Holdenville, OK.Ruth was a member of the First Baptist Church of Stratford, OK. She was also, a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation.Ruth will be buried beside her late son, at the Resurrection Memorial Cemetery, in Oklahoma City.Prior to the Covid-virus, Ruth requested no funeral services be held.