Ruby Magann Clarke

Ruby Magann Clarke

Ruby Magann Clarke, devoted mother, grandmother and great- grandmother, born on May 16, 1919, died peacefully on Thursday, December 23, 2010.

Ruby is survived by two sons, James Thomas Clarke Jr. and his wife, Johnnie Stephens Clarke, of Richmond and Stephen Magann Clarke and his wife, Carol Farmer Clarke, of Charlottesville; three daughters, Sarah Clarke Midkiff and her husband, Henry Kyle Midkiff Jr., of Covington, Virginia, Gayle Clarke Stephens and her husband, Scott Stephens, of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Patricia Clarke Garner and her husband, Thomas Arthur Garner, of Lynchburg, Virginia; eleven grandchildren, Stephen M. Clarke Jr. and his wife, Shana Brooks Clarke, of Pelham, New York, Ashley Clarke Brooks and her husband, Tyler Brooks, of Charlottesville, Henry Kyle Midkiff III and his wife, Nathalie, of Greenbay, Virginia, Karen Stewart Midkiff and her husband, Jason Quinn, of Boise, Idaho, Amy Clarke Higgins and her husband, Chad, of Cleveland, Tennessee, Sarah Catherine Clarke of Richmond, Virginia, Lauren Gregory Ranson and her husband, Patrick, of Wilmington, North Carolina, Christyanna Stephens Durand and her husband, Matthew, of Wilmington, North Carolina, James Gregory Garner and his wife, Ashton, of Lynchburg, Virginia; Daniel Lewis Garner of Lynchburg, Virginia, and Ross Lee Garner of Lynchburg; and twelve great-grandchildren.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, James Thomas Clarke; by her parents, Aubrey Wellington Magann and Virdie Maupin Magann; and by her brother, Aubrey Wellington Magann Jr.

An avid gardener and a lover of University of Virginia athletics, Ruby will be remembered best for her kind, loving and generous ways, and her incredible devotion and attention to her family. As the matriarch for a large family, she was a remarkable and talented grandmother. A natural athlete, she played basketball during her years at Lane High School. Her easy going personality and graciousness have left positive impressions and memories for all who knew her and loved her.

The family wishes to express a special thank you to the staff at Avante of Lynchburg for their care and attention to Ruby over the last few months.

Visitation will be from 7 until 8 p.m. Monday December 27, 2010, at Teague Funeral Home.

A service to celebrate the life of Ruby Magann Clarke will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 28, 2010, at Teague Funeral Home, with a family graveside service to follow at Riverview Cemetery. A reception for family and close friends will follow at the home of Stephen and Carol Clarke.

Ruby loved flowers and her church, Wesley Memorial United Memorial Church, 1901 Thomson Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903. Either flowers or donations to the church will be appreciated.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.