Ruth Ann Taylor Strong was born to A. LeRoy and Ruth Taylor on April 29, 1939, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She passed away on Sat., November 20, 2010. Ann was raised in Bethany, Oklahoma, attending Bethany Public schools. At age 17, while still in high school, Ann met the love of her life, Roger Strong. They were married two years later. They were blessed with two children, David Strong and Carol McCullough. Ann began her career as a violinist at age 8 and by her senior year was rated the number one high school violinist in Oklahoma. Together, Ann and Roger have presented numerous recitals, performed professionally in many concerts from Les Brown and his Band of Renown to Van Cliburn. They have provided special music for church services, weddings and many other functions. Ann has performed as first violinist with the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra and as assistant concert master with Lawton Philharmonic. She earned her B. Mus. Ed. from Oklahoma City University and M. Mus. Ed from Oklahoma University. Her teaching career encompassed private violin lessons, Burbank, CA Public Schools, Norman Public Schools, Southern Nazarene University and University of Central Oklahoma. She served eighteen years as Orchestra Coordinator for twenty six Putnam City schools. During this time, she was given the Golden Apple Achievement Award and in 1998, elected Oklahoma String Teacher of the Year. She held various offices in the Oklahoma Music Educators Association. Ann created and implemented the Papoose or preschool portion of the Nazarene Caravan program at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. She served on the church board for a number of years as well as in various other capacities. She is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Roger; son David and wife, Grace, of Raleigh, NC; daughter Carol McCullough and husband, Chris, of Jones, OK; sisters Nell Dougharty and husband W.T. (deceased) of Oklahoma City; Jeanne Cypert and husband, Eli, of Oklahoma City; Kay Rice and husband, C. Wayne, of Oklahoma City. She leaves nine precious grandchildren, Jake, Eli, Isaiah and Anna Strong; Josh, Colson, Christian, Jack and Kate McCullough as well as many loving nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews for whom she prayed daily. Ann would readily say that her greatest joy and pleasure was her role as wife, mother and Grammy. She will be remembered for her warm smile and very positive disposition. We are the better for having known her. Her greatest desire was to serve her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Funeral Services will be Tues., Nov 23, at 2:00 p.m. at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene with entombment in Resurrection Cemetery.