Ruby Clarice Hendrickson

Ruby Clarice McCarley Hendrickson, 93, of Hixson, TN, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2026, surrounded by her children. She is now reunited with her family and dear friends. We are comforted knowing that she is free from dementia and the physical ailments she persevered through without complaint since 2019. She truly is of The Greatest Generation.

Born on July 22, 1932, to the late Willis Floyd McCarley, Sr. and Ruby Greer McCarley, she was a 1950 graduate of Valley High School in Fairfax, AL, where she was voted The Sweetest by her classmates as a senior award. Until several years ago, she attended her annual class reunions, visiting with her classmates and other friends from her childhood. These annual visits brought so much joy to her each year.

She received her Secretarial Certificate in 1951 working with engineers in Shawmut, AL; Atlanta, GA; and Chico, CA. She made her way back to the south to Chattanooga, TN in 1972 where she was our Mom making us the best oven fried chicken and Halloween costumes in the world; sewing clothes with our names inside them; leaving us a legacy of ceramics and embroidery; teaching us strength and perseverance; going to baseball, tennis, and soccer; and laying a foundation of faith at Red Bank Baptist Church. After being a full-time Mom, she went to work at the City of Chattanooga as the secretary for the City Engineer, where she stayed for 23 years until her retirement. She was the first secretary nominated by the Tennessee Chapter of the American Public Works Association as an outstanding public works employee. She absorbed so much of the engineering world that her ophthalmologist thought she was an engineer. Although her 20 questions would sometimes try the patience of her children, her questions were truly her sense of curiosity and wonder of the details. Outside of work she loved working in her yard planting azaleas, daffodils, clematis, lilies, marigolds, and begonias. She enjoyed many years of fun with the singles group at Hixson United Methodist Church where she became a fan of the blues and became a member of the 'Grandmother Groupies' and traveled to see EG Kight at the Tropicana Room and as far away as Asheville, NC, a city she loved to visit. She loved seeing Buddy Guy, The Nutcracker, Straight No Chaser, and Max from Dancing With the Stars at The Tivoli Theater; playing bingo and watching the Boots and Buckles line dancing. She had peaceful hours sitting with her cat, Patches, watching sunsets, birds, and rabbits outside her window at home. Thankfully, this continued during her time at memory care.

Her most cherished role was that of Grandmother to Cay, Avery, and Colin. She loved them with all her heart and soul attending sports and school functions, baking birthday cakes, and giving gifts for all holidays. She delighted in seeing them grow up and smiled her brightest around them.

As we left one of her hospital visits, she looked up at the bluest of blue skies and said 'I think I have a bright future ahead of me.' Yes, Mom, yes you do.

In lieu of flowers, please give a flower to someone you love or a stranger to brighten their day.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Willis Floyd McCarley, Jr.; her sister, Dorothy Ann McCarley Parker; and her daughter-in-law, Nikki Hendrickson.

She is survived by her son, Kevin Hendrickson of Cumming, GA; daughter, Kimberly Hendrickson (Tab Gray) of Chattanooga, TN; grandchildren, Cay Plaskett (Bentley) of Nashville, TN; Avery Hendrickson (Liam Cushman) of Swainsboro, GA; Colin Hendrickson of Cumming, GA; sister, Jeanette McCarley Talledo (Eduardo) of Augusta, GA; brother, Thomas F. McCarley of Carrollton, GA, as well as a niece and several nephews.

Thank you to the beautiful caregivers especially Dr. Kirk Wilcox and his staff for their kindness.

A graveside service will take place at 2:00 p.m. CST on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Harmony Memorial Park, 6415 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Lanett, AL 36863. Officiating the service will be Pastor David Bradshaw. Pallbearers will be Colin Hendrickson, Tab Gray, Liam Cushman, Roy Talledo, Paul Talledo, and Bentley Plaskett.

Condolences may be sent to www.lane-southcrestchapel.com. Arrangements by the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, 833 Chickamauga Ave., Rossville, GA 30741.