Nancy Ruth Brickey

Nancy Ruth Brickey, 82, of Salina, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 18, 2023 surrounded by her family. She was born on March 1, 1940 in Yonkers, Oklahoma; the daughter of James “Jake” Walter Rhodes and Rowena (Davis) Rhodes. She married Thomas Lee Brickey on January 31, 1956 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Ruth lived in the Salina area for 45 years, coming from Chouteau. She and her husband owned and operated the Super B in Salina from 1976 until 1986 and she also worked for Safeway in Pryor and Tulsa for many years. Ruth had a heart for people and loved to cook for the Senior Citizens Center, many remember her homemade noodles, as she was known for her home cooking, chicken and noodles and pineapple cake. She enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially when she was able to go fishing, camping or birdwatching. Family was one of the most important things to Ruth. She loved to attend her grandsons sporting events and spend time with them every chance she got. Ruth also looked forward to “babysitting” her weenie dog, Lucy. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend and leaves behind many memories for her family to remember.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 21, 2023 in the Elm Cemetery in Leach with Garrett Ball, Dusty Brickey, J.T. Ball, Derrick Brickey, Jake Brickey, and Zack Ball serving as casket bearers. To leave her family a message, please visit her Tribute Wall at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman’s Funeral & Cremation Service.

Nancy is survived by her daughter, Brenda Ball and husband Jackie of Salina, Oklahoma; son, Dusty Brickey and wife Janie of Salina, Oklahoma; 5 grandchildren, Garrett Ball and wife Mylea, Dusty Brickey and wife Janie, J.T. Ball and wife Rebekah, Derrick Brickey and wife Hillary, and Jake Brickey and wife Michaela; 14 great grandchildren, Zack Ball, Leeya Ball, Sadie Brickey, Conner Brickey, Suzie Brickey, Preslea Nixon, Gentry Brickey, Colt Brickey, Lucy Brickey, Cam Brickey, Lane Brickey, Jackson Ball, Baker Brickey, and Carson Ball;  brothers, Jack Rhodes of Chouteau, Oklahoma and Doug Rhodes of Peggs, Oklahoma; sisters, Carolyn Applegate of Locust Grove, Oklahoma, Phillis Adams and husband Leon of Hulbert, Oklahoma and Dorothy DeCamp and husband Gail of Locust Grove, Oklahoma; sister in law, Irene Rhodes of Murphy, Oklahoma;  numerous nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Lee Brickey; parents, Jake and Rowena Rhodes; son, Gregg Brickey; infant sons, Larry Dale and Gary Lee Brickey; great granddaughter, Kennedy Brickey; brothers, Andy Rhodes, Phil Rhodes and Randy Rhodes; and sister, Linda Smigiel.