Ruby Oveta McMahon

Ruby Oveta McMahon died at the Curry House in Cadillac on June 26, 2011 grateful to Jesus Christ that she had been redeemed by Divine love when she was nineteen years old. She was 91. As one of eleven siblings, she was born on March 6, 1920 in Galatia, Illinois, as the daughter of Clell and Ila [Bishop] Morse. She married Mac Woodruff on February 24, 1944. He preceded her in death in 1951. She married Orval McMahon on July 28, 1956. He preceded her in death on February 24, 2011. She received the only full scholarship given from the Dorrisville school system which enabled her to attend Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. Following her graduation, she returned to her hometown of Dorrisville to teach for several years. She later moved to Pontiac, Michigan where she was employed as an elementary school teacher at Pontiac Central Elementary and later at Owen Elementary. She earned a further degree in Education from Wayne State University and closed her teaching career as a Reading Therapist for several years. Her love for teaching never waned. Next to Christ, it was her first love! She retired in the late 1970\'s. Mrs. McMahon was a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ from the time of her conversion at nineteen until her death. She was a giver and loved to support the work of Christ wherever she saw a need. Above all, she was a â€œstorehouse tither.â€ She became a member of First Baptist of Cadillac in the late 1990\'s when she and her husband moved to Cadillac from Florida. She thoroughly enjoyed the Retirees Group and those friends who stood by her in life. Along with being the best school teacher she could be, she desired to be a mother. In that capacity, she gave of herself tirelessly. Her compassion and love also flowed naturally to all of her grandchildren and step-grandchildren, great step-grandchildren, and great, great step-grandchildren. Having lived a life filled with numerous heartaches and tragedies, she modeled selfless loving and a faith in God that would see her through the worst life could offer. Her long-suffering brought both of her husbands to faith in Christ. Her loving-kindness also extended well beyond family as she never met a person who was a stranger [for very long]. She is survived by a son, David [Karen] McMahon of Cadillac; a step-daughter, Patricia McMahon of Clarkston; step-sons, Richard McMahon of St. Helen; Charles (Mary) McMahon of St. Helen; grandson, Jonathan [Lacey] McMahon of Cadillac; granddaughter, Jessica McMahon of Warsaw, Indiana; grandchildren, Ella, Reina, and Vivienne McMahon; ten step-grandchildren, twenty-six step-great grandchildren, and eight great great step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two husbands; sisters; Helen, Hazel, Dorothy, Pearline, Frankie, Freda, and Lucille; brothers, Jeff, Clell [â€œMuttâ€ ], and Paul; a step-daughter, Judith Kimball; two step-grandsons, Michael and Douglas; and two step-granddaughters, Lori and Diana. Special thanks to the wonderful administration and staff of The Curry House for their loving support these past six months. Also, we thank those from Mercy Hospital and Lakeview Lutheran Manor who extended care and kindness as well. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 AM Thursday, June 30, 2011 at the First Baptist Church of Cadillac, 125 Stimson St., Cadillac, MI 49601 with Rev. Mike Stambaugh and Rev. David McMahon officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 29, from 5-8 PM at the Peterson Funeral Home in Cadillac. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church of Cadillac Building Fund. An online guest book is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Ruby Oveta McMahon

March 6, 1920 - June 26, 2011