On Tuesday, January 25, 2011, Dr. Ruth Ward Faine, wife of Govan P. Faine, departed this life and entered into eternal rest with the Lord. Dr. Faine was born on December 11, 1929 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Ward. Dr. Faine, a native of Oklahoma City, graduated Valedictorian from Douglass High School. She received a Bachelor's Degree from Howard University in Washington, DC., and received a Master's Degree in Educational Curriculum and a Doctoral Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Faine was a successful educator, dedicated advocate of youth, conscientious civic leader and devoted founder of A+ Academics, Inc. Community Based Education. Ruth Faine, an outstanding educator, worked in the Oklahoma City School System as a classroom teacher, taught government for five years on instructional television channels 13 and 25; served as assistant principal at Northwest Classen, Douglass and Southeast High Schools. In 1990, Dr. Faine founded A+ Academics, Inc. and served as its Executive Director of A+ Academics Community-Based Education Program to help students excel academically, to exhibit positive behavior, to remain in school until graduation and to receive college scholarships. Generous community supporters of the project motivated and encouraged youth by donating more than $10,000 in scholarships which are awarded each year to students who participate in A+ Academics. Dr. Ruth W. Faine, a member of Greater Cleaves Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Oklahoma City, was honored by the church for outstanding service to youth and also received an award from the Oklahoma District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church as one of the top four outstanding educators in the state of Oklahoma. Dr. Ruth W. Faine, is a Golden Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and was honored as an outstanding chairperson for Fashionetta, a cultural and scholarship program for high schools seniors; served as Basileus of Phi Delta Kappa Sorority for educators and received their award as Outstanding President and was also named Outstanding Leader of the Southwest Region. Dr. Ruth W. Faine, a member of Business and Professional Women's Federated Club, was named Oklahoma State Women of the Year for federated clubs. Ruth, a charter member of the Nu Art Association, served as president, vice president and treasurer. She was Vice President of the Top Ladies of Distinction and was selected Outstanding Member of the Year. Dr. Faine received the Ebony Tribune Keeper of The Dream Award, received an award for outstanding community service from Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and serves on the scholarship committee for The Urban League Guild. Dr. Ruth Ward Faine was inducted into the Oklahoma Afro-American Hall of Fame. Survivors include a devoted husband of 59 years Govan P. Faine, son Roger P. Faine, daughter-in-law Dedra Faine, grandson Govan P. Faine II, granddaughter Lauren V. Faine, sister Barbara Jackson, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and best friends. AKA Sorority services 6:00 PM Friday at Rolfe Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services 11:00 AM Saturday at Greater Cleaves CME Church with interment at Trice Hill Cemetery.

Published in The Oklahoman on January 28, 2011