Ruth Florence Carnahan

Ruth Florence Carnahan of Waco died peacefully on Monday, July 1, 2024, at the age of 97.

A private graveside service will be held Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at Rosemound Cemetery in Waco.

Ruth was born at home November 9, 1926, and entered this world 40 minutes before her twin brother, Jay. She grew up in Waco, Texas, and attended Alta Vista, South Junior, and Waco High, before graduating from Baylor University.

During the 1950’s, she worked as secretary for two Baylor Football coaches, George Sauer and Sam Boyd. She spoke often of her time at Baylor and some of her favorite memories were of attending the ’52 Orange Bowl, ’54 Gator Bowl and ’57 Sugar Bowl games. She was a fierce Baylor Bear supporter!

In 1960, she moved to Dallas and was employed by Hunt Oil Co for much of the remainder of her career. She loved Dallas and took advantage of all it had to offer including plays, musicals, Dallas Cowboy games, great shopping and restaurants. She even witnessed the JFK motorcade as it passed by her office. Ruth was an animal lover, an avid bridge player well into her 90’s, and a devoted Wednesday volunteer at Presbyterian Hospital Dallas for many years.

In 2001, she returned to Waco where she reconnected with old friends, joined new bridge groups and attended Baylor sporting events, especially football and women’s basketball as often as she could.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Jay Clark Carnahan, Sr., and Ruth Florence Elam Carnahan; her brother, David Carnahan; and sister-in-law Dovie Meadows Carnahan.

She is survived by her twin brother, Jay Clark Carnahan, Jr., of Tyler; niece, Diane Carnahan of Plano; nephew, Jeff Carnahan of Houston; and nephew, John Carnahan of Tyler.

Ruth’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at The Delaney at Lake Waco for the compassionate care and friendship they offered to Ruth during the past three years and also to the kind and caring nurses and aides at Interim HealthCare Hospice during Ruth’s final days.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory of Ruth on her “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.