On July 30, 1940, the Lord blessed Oscar & Jimmie Mae Cooper with a precious daughter, she was given the name "Ruth Ann". She was the fourth child born out of six.

Ruth Ann attended Muskogee public schools, graduating from a historical school: Manual Training High School, class of 1959.

Ruth Ann accepted Christ at an early age, she was baptized at Jerusalem Baptist Church, under Reverend F. Roberts, she later moved her membership to St. Mark Baptist Church, under the Pastor Rev. Theodore Hickerson. She was a faithful and loyal member of her church, holding several positions: choir member, director of Girls in Action choir and the Rhythm band, and a Sunday school teacher.

After High school she married John Derrick in 1959 and later had five children to this union. They later separated and she began to work at Muskogee Regional Medical Center in the housekeeping department were she later retired. After retirement she began to work for Incor in Muskogee, working with the mentally disabled and elderly as a Habilitation Training Specialist for 22 years until her health began to fail.

After a lingering illness, Ruth Ann passed away on Jan 1, 2022, at Saint Francis Hospital in Muskogee, with her family at her bedside. The family members that preceded her home were: her parents, stepfather, son, 2 sisters and a brother and granddaughter .

Those she leaves behind to thank God for her celebration of life include: 3 sons: John "Anthony" Derrick of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Reginald Hoyt Derrick of Fort Worth, Texas and Rodney Frank Derrick of Moore, Oklahoma, a daughter Jacqueline D. Harris of Muskogee, Oklahoma, 2 sisters Gwendolyn (Douglas ) Gardner of Muskogee, Oklahoma and Virginia "Louise " Thomas of Muskogee, Oklahoma, 4 grandchildren, a special great grandchild Stacey Derrick along with 3 other great grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter and a host of relatives and friends.

A Home Going Celebration, will be conducted, Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in St Mark Baptist Church, 1020 S. 2nd. St.  Muskogee, OK with Pastor R.L.B. Cutler, eulogizing.   Interment will follow in Booker T. Washington cemetery.  Public visitation, Friday, Jan. 14th in the Precious Memories Chapel of House of Winn Funeral Home-Muskogee. during the hours of 1:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M.

MASKS are encouraged at all services

The family has been cared for by House of Winn  Funeral Home-Muskogee.