Ruth Eloise Carter

Ruth Eloise Carter was born in Henryetta, Oklahoma, on November 14, 1921, to Willard
Nathan and Leora Seacat-Carter. She was the eldest of their six children and was known
by "Eloise" or "Weezie."
Eloise and her high school sweetheart, Charles E. Fontaine, graduated Salutatorian and
Valedictorian, respectively, from Henryetta High School.
Eloise went on to college in Oklahoma City and worked as a nurse after graduation.
Charles and Eloise were engaged prior to his enlistment into the U.S. Army Air Corps
where he graduated a Staff Sergeant Flight Officer during World War II. On March 27,
1943, he died when the Troop Transport Carrier he was piloting exploded in mid-air.
After Charles died, Eloise enlisted as a WWII Army surgical nurse. She served as 1st
Lieutenant, 132nd Evacuation Hospital, European Theatre of Operations (ETO) and was
decorated with an ETO Ribbon with a Battle Star, American Theatre Ribbon, and Victory
Medal for the Battle of the Ardennes (aka The Battle of The Bulge), a major German
offensive campaign launched through the densely forested Ardennes region of Wallonia
in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg on the Western Front toward the end of World War
II. The Battle of the Bulge was to conduct the U.S military's most complex land
campaign of WWII.
Although Eloise made it through the Battle of the Bulge, she later suffered a gunshot
wound to the right side of her head, while on active duty, leaving her left arm and left leg
paralyzed. She was honorably discharged on July 27, 1946.
After many surgeries and long recoveries, Eloise was determined to one day regain the
use of her left arm and leg. She moved to California where she received rehabilitation
therapy at the Army hospital. She improved a great deal and her youngest sibling,
Evelyn (whom she called Doodle Bug) was amazed to see that Eloise could tie her shoes
with one hand. However, Eloise remained permanently paralyzed and had to wear a
special leg brace in order to walk. She went on to graduate from the University of Southern California and taught bible
studies to children at public elementary schools in a release time program in California.
In 1965 she moved back to Oklahoma, bought a home in Broken Arrow, and became an
active member of the Northside Christian Church of Broken Arrow and the Disabled
American Veterans Association.
Eloise cared deeply about the world around her and practiced charitable giving by
donating to worthy causes, such as: The Wounded Warrior Project and other military
foundations; faith-based charities; world hunger and humanitarian efforts; children's
charities; animal abuse/rescue organizations, and historical and national parks
preservation.
Never having any children of her own, she was a loving aunt to her many nieces and
nephews. Her hobbies were oil painting, gardening, and taking care of her animals: 2
German shepherds (Peaches and Silver) and a cat, Samson. At one point, she took the
dogs for training and began showing them in her spare time, even with her disability.
For a few years in the early 1970's she and her friend, another disabled WWII Veteran,
enjoyed group tours traveling to many countries throughout the world, including two
tours of the Holy Land.
She had a positive attitude, a twinkle in her eye, a humorous wit.
Always loved, never forgotten. Visitation: Monday, April 20, 2015, 12:00 PM - 2:00PM, Kennedy-Kennard, Broken Arrow ,OK.; Service: Monday, April 20, 2015, 3:30 PM West Lawn Cemetery, Henryetta,OK Kennedy-Kennard Funeral &
Cremation,918.251.5331,kennedycares.com