Ruby E. Clark

Ruby E. Clark, aged 91, died Wednesday May 27, 2009 at her home of over 50 years outside Calhoun.

A lifelong resident of the small community known as McMinns Oldest and Finest , she was a dedicated member of the United Methodist Church of Calhoun. While active in the church, Ruby and her husband Joe T. Clark were consistently volunteering in activities and regularly hosting work nights in Joe T.s shop to produce products for fund-raising bazaars. A stained-glass window within the church as well as the pavilion on the church grounds were both dedicated in their names to honor their many contributions.

Ruby worked at Calhouns Bolen Store in the mid 1940s and later spent several years at American Uniform. But two of her greatest accomplishments were caring for her ailing mother for over forty years and then, later in her life, the in-home care of her husband who died of Alzheimers in 2005. Ruby and Joe T. were married for over fifty years.

It was this selfless, patient spirit of caring that made Ruby stand out in her community which she described as the best place in the world to live.

Known as a fine, wonderful, sweet and gentle person who was always helpful but at the same time a lot of fun and the best neighbor you could have, Ruby was an outstanding from-scratch cook and avid canner with a reputation for having a green thumb. She enjoyed quilting and was a more than competent with a crochet needle.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents Tom and Agnes Elliott, her brothers John L. and Joseph Frederick Elliott and her beloved husband Joe T. Clark.

More importantly, she is survived by countless friends and relatives who will undoubtedly remember her for her enthusiastic love of life which was matched only by her quiet determination to do what was right.

Visitation at the United Methodist Church of Calhoun will begin at 10am on Monday June 1. The service and celebration of Rubys life will be at 11am followed by internment at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery"Reverend Pat Bishop officiating. Lunch will be served back at the church after the burial. Pallbearers will be Clifford Clark, J.L. Clark, H.T. Clark, Joe Elliott, David Elliott and Jim Elliott. Honorary pallbearers will be Vernon Burris, Emmitt Kirkland, Sherman Clark, Francis Allen and Joe Bryan.

Arrangements by Grissom Funeral Home, Cleveland, TN. Online condolences may be sent to www.grissomfh.net