The Shadow
CHARLOTTESVILLE - Ruby Magann Clarke, devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother, born May 16, 1919, died peacefully Thursday Dec. 23, 2010.
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. Ruby loved flowers and her church, Wesley Memorial United Memorial Church.
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, Gayle Clarke Stephens and her husband. Scott Stephens of Wilmington, N.C., and Patricia Clarke Garner and her husband, Thomas Arthur Garner of Lynchburg; 11 grandchildren, Stephen M. Clarke Jr. and his wife, Shana Brooks Clarke, of Pelham, N.Y., Ashley Clarke Brooks and her husband, Tyler Brooks, of Charlottesville, Henry Kyle Midkiff III and his wife, Nathalie, of Greenbay, Karen Stewart Midkiff and her husband, Jason Quinn, of Boise, Idaho, Amy Clarke Higgins and her husband, Chad, of Cleveland, Tenn., Sarah Catherine Clarke of Richmond, Lauren Gregory Ranson and her husband, Patrick, of Wilmington, N.C., Christyanna Stephens Durand and her husband, Matthew, of Wilmington, N.C., James Gregory Garner and his wife, Ashton, of Lynchburg, Daniel Lewis Garner of Lynchburg, Ross Lee Garner of Lynchburg, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, James Thomas Clarke; her parents, Aubrey Wellington Magann and Virdie Maupin Magann, and a brother, Aubrey Wellington Magann Jr.
A service to celebrate the life of Ruby Clarke will be conducted Tuesday at Teague Funeral Home in Charlottesville at 2 p.m., 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.
Visitation will be this evening from 7 to 8 p.m. at Teague Funeral Home.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions of flowers or monetary gifts to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1901 Thomson Rd., Charlottesville, Va. 22903.
