Obituary: Alma Ruth McCommon, missionary and nurse, dies at 84

Alma Ruth (Stevens, Haskins) McCommon, 84, passed away September 23, 2024, in Lubbock, TX. She was born November 11, 1939, to Samuel Jefferson, Sr., and Thelma Ruth (West) Stevens, in Muskogee, OK. Samuel Jefferson Stevens, Jr., known as “Bud,” was born 8 years prior to Ruthie.

Ruthie accepted Christ as her personal Lord & Savior at the age of eight, at Lillis Lane, Baptist Church. Ruthie’s daddy was a Baptist minister in Dallas, TX, until her senior year in high school, when the family moved to Inola, OK. It was there that Ruthie met, fell in love with, and married the boy next door, James Henry Haskins. He was a U.S. Air Force man, so naturally he had orders for England in eight days after the wedding. Their first anniversary, the couple met in Seville, Spain, and over the next 3 years Ruthie was blessed with 3 daughters. The couple’s joy was short lived, as Chelly passed away suddenly as an infant. Ruthie enjoyed traveling with the military to Hawaii after Jim spent a tour in Viet Nam. They had planned on going over seas as missionaries, and Jim told her to keep the dream alive.

After Ruthie completed her degree, as a registered Nurse, and finished her seminary work, God called her to Liberia, West Africa. Ruthie loved the people of Africa and eventually fell in love with a volunteer, Dr. Paul McCommon. At the end of her tour in Liberia, she and Paul traveled the world as missionary volunteers, settling in Peachtree City, GA. Once again, Ruth heard the calling from the Lord; this time for a free-standing clinic; free for those with medical insurance gaps. In 2007, the vision for the clinic began without even a penny in funds available. The clinic opened its doors in September 2009. To date, the clinic has done over $1.4 million in services.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Sr. and Ruth, her brother, Samuel Jr., both of her husbands, Jim and Paul, and 2 of her daughters, Cindy and Chelly. Those left to await a heavenly reunion are: her daughter, Denise Christine (Christy) Diaz and her husband Al, a grandson, James “Bubba” Stalnaker, a granddaughter, Rachel Haney, a grandson, Steven Locke, and 9 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Ruth, please donate to the Healing Bridge Clinic in Peachtree, GA. www.healingbridgeclinic.org.