Ruth Nanalee Brackin Wheaton went home to be with her Lord and personal savior on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at the age of 94. Ruth was born on July 21, 1927, in Qulin, Missouri to Isaac Albert Brackin and Laura Belvia Waters and moved to the Rio Grande Valley at the age of two. Ruth married C. W. Wheaton on November 28, 1945. She was a loving and nurturing mom to their five children. She was the bookkeeper for their family farming and ranching business, Wheaton Farm and Wheaton Cattle Company. Upon C.W’s death in 1987, she farmed and ranched until her retirement. Ruth believed in the 4-H program and all it stands for. She served as an active 4-H leader and was awarded the 4-H Clover and Diamond Clover Awards for her many years of service. She was also recognized for coaching numerous state award winning method demonstrations. She was the secretary for the Willacy County Livestock Show Youth Rodeo and Open Ropings. In 1990, she was inducted into the W.C.L.S. Hall of Fame for her support to the youth of Willacy County over the years. In addition, she served on the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show Sale of Champions, Chicks for Chickens, and the Rodeo Hospitality Committees. She was the R.G.V.L.S. Youth Rodeo and Open Rodeo secretary, the District 12 4-H Horse Show secretary, and secretary for the Harlingen Saddle Club and Circle K Arena. She was also a Cub Scout Den Leader. She was a member of the Lyford Woman’s Club and a faithful and supportive member of the First Baptist Church of Lyford, Texas. Ruth was known for always having a smile and kind word for everybody. She was known for saying, “just tell me what to do and I’ll do it” and always had a smile on her face. She enjoyed traveling with her family, her sister, Lenore and loved supporting her grand and great grandchildren. She enjoyed celebrating birthdays and anniversaries with a group of close friends, as well as attending various theatre productions and museums. A highlight in her daily activities were when family and friends would stop by and have a cup of coffee with friends at her kitchen table. Ruth is preceeded in death by her parents, husband and brothers, John L. Brackin (Jean), Clettie Harold “Pete” Brackin (Jeanette), sister Mary Virginia “Ginger” Terry, daughter-in-law Marie Spence Wheaton, brother-in-law Gene Vittetoe; sisters-in-laws Dena Wheaton Dominque (Tony), Sarah Wheaton Massey (Gaylen), Mattie Mae Wheaton Miller (Russell “Mick”), Johnnie Wheaton Stapleton (Hershel “Doc”), and Edna “Totsie” Wheaton Freeman; brother-in-laws, Ralph McClanahan and David George. Ruth is survived by sons, Larry Wheaton (Leslie), Jerry Wheaton (Jacque), Herman Wheaton (Cathy); daughters, Sharon Ketcham (Fred), Nadalee Allen (Bret); grandchildren, Hunter Ketcham (Luci),Colby Wheaton (Stacy), Lorain Ketcham Keath (Hunter), Garett Wheaton (Katie), Laramie Wheaton (Candace), Will Wheaton, Lexie Wheaton Herrmann (Hank), Bailee Allen Hendry (Scott), Summer Allen Louder (Jarrett), Brecca Wheaton, Korlee Allen Aguilera (Juan), Lauren Wheaton, Lacey Wheaton, and Tucker Allen; great grandchildren, Stanton Keath, Leighton Ketcham, Hadleigh Keath, Jackson “Hunter” Ketcham, Kaelynn Hendry, Cade Wheaton, Zack Wheaton, Rylee Hendry, Hattie Herrmann, Heidi Hermann, Allie Aguilera, and Baby Boy Herrmann to be born in July; sister, Lenore Vittetoe; sister-in-laws, Maggie Wheaton McClanahan and Roxie Wheaton George; niece like a daughter, Jeannine Wheaton Frankum; friend like a sister, Betty Jo Williams. A celebration of her long life will be held Friday, March 25, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Lyford with internment to follow at the Lyford Evergreen Cemetery. Pallbearers are Hunter Ketcham, Colby Wheaton, Garett Wheaton, Laramie Wheaton, Will Wheaton, Tucker Allen, Hunter Keath, Hank Herrmann, Scott Hendry, Jarrett Louder, and Juan Aguilera. Honorary pallbearers are Roland Williams, Jack Scogin, Cody Scogin, and Darell Belcher. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Lyford, P.O. Drawer G, Lyford, Texas, 78569, Willacy County Livestock Show, P.O. Box 531089, Harlingen, Texas, 78553 (with memo of in memory of Ruth Wheaton), the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show, 1000 North Texas, Mercedes, Texas, 78570, (with memo of in memory of Ruth Wheaton), or charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home, 395 S. Sam Houston St., San Benito, Texas, 78586.