Ruth D. Lloyd's Obituary
Celebrating the Life and Honoring the Legacy of Ruth D. Lloyd Sunrise: July 16, 1934 Sunset: May 10, 2025 Ruth D. Lloyd passed away on May 10, 2025, at her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the presence of her loving children. Her journey—marked by faith, grace, and remarkable resilience—leaves a legacy as vibrant as the hymns she once played on the family piano.
Born on July 16, 1934, in Sandusky, Illinois, Ruth was the cherished daughter of Sarah and James Paul. Both parents preceded her in death. As a child, she was both diligent and creative, completing her chores efficiently and thoroughly before retreating to her tree-hammock hideaway with a book or a letter-in-progress to a distant cousin.
That same industrious spirit led her, as a teenager, to seek competitive work to buy her own school clothes and supplies—an early glimpse of her lifelong independence, intellect, and integrity.
Eventually, her path led her from her hometown to Elgin, Illinois, where she met her husband, Tilman Lloyd Jr. They were united in holy matrimony in 1954. From this union, four children were born: Tilman III, Brenda, Valerie, and Todd—all of whom they raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Ruth was a guiding and present force in her children’s lives. She volunteered in their classrooms, chaperoned field trips, and transformed the living room into a sacred space filled with scripture, song, and memory verses she believed weren’t just assignments but lifelines.
Ruth's talents were limitless. She was an expert seamstress, a skilled hat maker, and an exceptional cook and baker. Her family particularly loved her homemade desserts, including German chocolate cake, sweet potato pie, lemon meringue pie, her scrumptious fruit-filled Jello mold, and her unforgettable butter pound cake.
A lifelong learner, Ruth engaged in college coursework in clerical and communication studies, trained as a beautician, and became a highly sought-after hairstylist. She also consistently deepened her theological knowledge. She was licensed as a state missionary and evangelist through the Good Hope Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in Chicago, earning a perfect score on her licensing exam. Upon her husband’s appointment as pastor of New Deliverance COGIC, Ruth served faithfully as First Lady, dedicated to teaching and preaching the Word of God. For nearly two decades, they ministered together—boldly traversing neighborhoods, sharing the gospel, and living their faith in the “Windy City.”
Remarkably, several members of their New Deliverance congregation in Chicago continued to reach out and visit them even after they moved to Tulsa, including Tamitra Griffin, Desonta and Dennis Neal with their family, and Hubert and Marsha Fincher. Their kindness and continued presence brought Ruth sincere joy.
After retiring to Tulsa, Ruth and Tilman joined Hearne Temple COGIC, where Ruth found meaningful friendship with First Lady Martha Broom and a deep sense of belonging. There, she was appointed Church Mother, known for her biblical wisdom, radiant spirit, and sincere compassion. After Elder Lloyd’s passing in 2017, she continued her ministry with unshakable resolve, offering spiritual mentorship and intercessory prayer.
Remarkably, several members of their New Deliverance congregation in Chicago continued to reach out and visit her in Tulsa, including Tamitra Griffin, Desonta and Dennis Neal with their family, and Hubert and Marsha Fincher. Their kindness and continued presence brought Ruth sincere joy.
Actively involved in the Tulsa community, Ruth was an avid supporter of her daughter, Dr. Brenda Joy Lloyd-Jones, particularly during her historic presidency as the first Black leader of the 100-year-old Junior League of Tulsa. Demonstrating her own commitment to service, Ruth also joined and actively participated in The Mothers Group Inc., a Tulsa literacy nonprofit established by Dr. Lloyd-Jones to support under-resourced children—reflecting a shared dedication also evident in Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s role as one of the few African American professors at the University of Oklahoma's Tulsa campus (OU-Tulsa).
Ruth was beautiful inside and out. Her warmth, wisdom, and wholehearted devotion to Christ made her a beacon of strength and a treasured role model. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tilman Lloyd Jr., and their beloved firstborn son, Tilman Lloyd III.
She leaves a legacy of love with her cherished family: her children, Dr. Brenda Joy Lloyd-Jones, Dr. Valerie Lloyd Edwards (Dr. Peter Edwards), Todd Allen Lloyd (Analyn Lloyd), and her devoted nephew, Thurman Paul; her grandchildren, Edward Lloyd Jones II, Aubrey Joy Danielle Edwards-Luce (Danny Edwards-Luce), Amber Ruth Antoinette Edwards, Peter Edwards II (Brionna Edwards), Tayler Allen Lloyd, Amber McSpadden, and Isaiah West; and her great-grandchildren, Braelyn Luce-Edwards, Maddox McSpadden, and Isavelle Palacios. She is survived by her loving siblings: Ernestine Hobson, Christina Davis, Stella Turnner, Marva Jeanette Hurt, and Samuel Paul. She was also preceded in death by her dear siblings: James W. Paul, Steve Paul, Deborah Borders, Mary Paul, Joseph Paul, Nancy Triplett, and Savannah Alexander. Ruth leaves behind a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
A public service honoring Ruth’s life will be held at Floral Haven in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, on May 17, officiated by Superintendent Frank Brazwell. Pallbearers will include Peter Edwards, Peter Edwards II, Edward Jones, Edward Jones II, Danny Edwards-Luce, and Dale Broom.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Mothers Group Inc. at https://www.themothersgroup.org.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to her church family, including Bonnie and Frank Brazwell, Martha Broom, Grace Hall Broom and Dale Broom, Jacqueline and L. B. Stoker Jr., and Resha Vo and family.
The family expresses sincere appreciation for her support community: Veronica, Demyia, Lexi, Tonya, Josh, Matt, Jane, and Shawntaye.
One of Ruth’s favorite Bible scriptures was Isaiah 40:30–31, a reminder of the God who renews strength, lifts burdens, and walks with us through every season:
30. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV)
Her journey here has ended, but her legacy endures—in the songs she sang, the scriptures she taught, and the countless lives she touched.
Rest well, beautiful Ruth. You have run your race with joy.
For those that cannot attend the service in person webcasting is available at the follow link: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/112493/hash:95D5FBDC3D87ECD6
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