Ruty Alicia Barnett Creel passed away in Georgetown, Texas on April 28, 2025.   She was born on September 17, 1931 in Anton, Republic of Panama, the daughter of Efrain and Alicia Barnett.

She graduated from High School in Panama City, Panama in 1949, then went on to Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota and Columbia University in New York City, earning a Masters Degree in Education. Ruty worked as a teacher at the National Institute of Panama.

Ruty married Joel Dwain Creel in 1963 in Panama and were married for 33 years before Joel passed away in San Antonio, Texas in 1996. She was a military wife and also taught Spanish to American soldiers.  The family had many military relocations over the years, and she always made a comforting home.

Ruty especially loved arts and crafts, and she enjoyed painting, drawing, ceramics, stained glass, and writing poetry. Her daughter, Alicia, was special needs and Ruty and Joel devoted themselves to her care.  Alicia was often the inspiration for Ruty's poetry and art.

Surviving Ruty are her sons, George and Douglas Creel; daughter-in-law Melinda Creel; her grandchildren, Nathan Creel, Sarah Briggs, and Kathryn Shuey; her great-grandson, Joel Shuey; and her sister, Maritza Johnson.

Preceding Ruty in death were her husband Joel Creel, daughter Alicia Maria Creel, and her brother Isaac Barnett.

Visitation will be held May 5, 2025 at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown, Texas at 10am. Funeral services will begin at 11am.