Ruth Goodman Kelley Clark

September 6, 1917 - January 9, 2019

Ruth (Goodman) Kelley Clark was called home to her Eternal reward on January 9th at the age of 101 in Dallas, Texas. Ruth was born to James Noton and Nora Lucinda (McFarlen) Goodman on September 6, 1917 in Mertens, Texas. She graduated from Mertens High School in 1934, attended Mary Hardin Baylor College her freshman year, and received both her B.S. and Master of Education degrees from North Texas State University. Ruth taught school for 27 years as an elementary classroom teacher, retiring from Lancaster Independent School District in 1966. During World War II, she served as an assistant Air Traffic Controller at San Antonio Air Traffic Control Center. Ruth was preceded in death by her first husband, Major Jack Henry Kelley, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1946. In 1947 Ruth began teaching sixth grade in the one elementary school in Lancaster, and later finished her years of teaching at Pleasant Run Elementary School in Lancaster. On June 14, 1952 she married Stanley David Clark, and they lived in Lancaster until his death in 2001 after 49 years of marriage. Ruth was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster where she taught Intermediate Girls Class for several years. In 1976, she and Gloria Moore wrote the history of the Lancaster church in celebration of the nation’s bicentennial and requested that the church receive a Texas Historical Commission which was granted and dedicated in May of 1977. Ruth was a member of the Women’s Golf Association at Waxahachie Country Club where she served as president and as chairman of several committees and enjoyed taking part in tournaments for many years. Ruth was preceded in death by husbands Major Jack Henry Kelley and Stanley David Clark; parents James and Nora Goodman; siblings­­­­­­­­­­­­ Snead Goodman, Lucille (Goodman) Langford, Woodfin Goodman, Willard Goodman, Whitmore Goodman, Robert Goodman, Notie Goodman and Mildred (Goodman) Stevenson; nephews James Langford and Joseph Goodman. She is survived by nephews Edward Goodman, James Goodman, John Goodman, Horace Langford Jr, Robert Goodman Jr., Wallace Goodman and John Stevenson; nieces Martha (Goodman) Laster, Nora (Goodman) Weaver and Susan (Stevenson) Mann. Ruth was a special youngest child, devoted daughter, cherished sister, loving wife, respected teacher, special friend, faithful parishioner, valued community member and wonderful aunt adored by all of her nephews and nieces. Her sweet disposition, infectious laughter, zest for life and strong faith will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster Building Fund.