Ruth Ann Sallee (McCoy) passed peacefully at home in Winnemucca on March 21, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. She was born on May 8, 1947, in Fresno, California to Andrew Edward Foote and Willie Emeline Neetles.
Along with her family, she moved several times throughout her life. Residing in California and Washington before finally settling in Nevada.
She went to Fallon High School and spent several years in the area afterwards.
Eventually, Ruth moved to Kings River, Nevada as she loved the outdoors, farming and the beautiful landscape.
Once she became a mother, she moved to Winnemucca, to raise her children.
On June 2, 1979, Ruth married Milton Pearce McCoy. They were married for many years while eventually divorcing and continued to be close friends.
Ruth worked for a couple of years in the Casinos in security and soft count before beginning her long career managing Hooft’s Bakery for about 20 years.
She eventually left Hooft’s Bakery to pursue a career in the mining industry.
She worked as a truck driver for the next 12 years at Lone Tree and Twin Creeks and retired at the age of 62.
In the summer of 2011, Ruth reconnected with a lifelong friend, Robert “Bob” Sallee. They became the best of friends and married on July 27, 2012.
After their marriage, Ruth moved to Elko, Nevada for the next 10 years. While in Elko, she and Bob traveled, cruised and spent time with their families and friends. She became a volunteer for the NNRH Hospital Auxiliary for two years where she made many lifelong friends. Her time in Elko were some of the best years of her life!
After Bob’s passing in May of 2021, she returned to Winnemucca and lived with her youngest daughter, Dede, where she would continue to fight the battle with cancer.
Ruth loved traveling, gardening, camping, riding her four-wheeler, bowling, and spending time with her family.
She touched so many lives and will truly be missed and never forgotten by family and friends.
She is survived by her children, Timothy Farrell (Lisa) Valerie Jr., Carrie Ann Clark, Dyann “Dede” Stephanie (Roy) Rookstool and Jennifer Lee McCoy, numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, as well as her cousins, Wanda Marie White and Billie Mace and her lifelong friend and ex-husband, Milt McCoy.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob Sallee, and her daughter, Dawn Lovell Stephenson Devries. Her parents, Andrew Edward Foote and Willie Emeline Neetles, her brothers, Walter Raymond McBride, and Henry Earl Short, and her sisters, Mary Geneva McBride and Gracie May Short. Her beloved cousin who was very special to her, Les Bernard Nicholson and cousin, Orville Lee Nicholson.
Per Ruth’s wishes, her family and friends will celebrate her life by taking a ride over the top of the Montana’s near Kings River, and spread her ashes there as Kings River was her favorite place.
The date and information will be announced later.
In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that those wishing to give please send donations to help our local families and friends battling cancer.
Donations can be sent to the LaRena Smith Bengoa Run, Ride or Walk for the Cure. LaRena’s Race c/o OK Tire 750 W. Winnemucca Blvd Winnemucca, Nevada 89445 or online at larenasrace.org.
