Janie Ruth Bickham died Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Oklahoma City. She was 93.

Born Feb. 14, 1932, in Sasakwa, Okla., she was the youngest of six children of Gladys (Shed) and M.D. Wallace. At age 17 she graduated from Sasakwa High School, where she was a point guard on the girls' basketball team. She moved to Oklahoma City and worked at Halliburton department store. She lived in Norman for most of her adult life, where she studied at OU and worked about 25 years as an attendance secretary at Norman High School while rearing four children. She loved reading, dogs, cats, Broadway musicals, ice cream, and being with family and friends. She was a lifelong Democrat with a kind heart, especially for underdogs.

She was preceded in death by her husband W.U. McCoy; her 5 siblings; her sons Robert M. and Stephen Bickham; and her children's father, Jack M. Bickham. Survivors include son Dan Bickham, Edmond; daughter Lise DeShea, OKC; grandchildren Kendra Jones (Brian), Mary Thomas (Andre), Shannon Bickham Griesedieck (Thomas), Jacob Bickham (Eloise), Rebeka Simms (Brian); stepson Mark McCoy; 9 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and many other family members.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, at Holdenville City Cemetery under the direction of Fisher Funeral Home. The family extends deepest thanks to the caring staff with Dorset Place Memory Care and Centric Hospice. Memorial donations may be made to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.