Ruth Ann Shoemaker Clark passed away from this life with grace and peace in the afternoon of Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the home of her niece and caregiver, Joyce Bledsoe, in Pennington Gap, VA. She was 93 years young.

Ruthie, as she was known to most people, was born on January 30, 1932, to Bill and Ethel (Gilbert) Shoemaker, at the family home in Keith, KY. She had ten siblings whom she adored: four sisters: Zella (Shoemaker) Messer, Billie Sue (Shoemaker) Disney, Faye (Shoemaker) Gibson, and Shannon (Shoemaker) Brashears; and six brothers: Herbert Shoemaker, John Henry Shoemaker, Elmer Shoemaker, Bentley Shoemaker, Charles Shoemaker, and Jimmy Allen Shoemaker.

A lifelong resident of Harlan County, Ruthie graduated from Loyall High School and at the age of twenty-one, married the love of her life, William "Bill" Clark in January 1953. Ruthie and Bill were married fifty-four glorious years until Bill passed in 2007. Once married, Bill, who was the owner of Bill Clark Construction Company, encouraged Ruthie to go to business school. She graduated with her business/office certification and promptly went to work at Bill's construction company keeping the books. Not only did she work in the family business, she also was a substitute teacher and managed the Wayne Drive-In at Dayhoit.

Ruthie was a spirited, adventure loving girl. She had a vibrant personality and didn't hold back her opinion. She got her driver's license (at a time when many women of that era didn't) and she hit the road, driving the biggest car on the road. She loved traveling and shopping. She and Bill had a winter home in Florida, where they frequently enjoyed deep sea fishing. Ruthie was so excited to be able to travel through the Everglades on an airboat, owned by friends. They went on an Alaskan cruise where she went white water rafting. They enjoyed square dancing and traveled to do so.

Once their son, Tommy, came on the scene, Ruthie had a partner in crime for her adventures. Tommy learned to enjoy traveling and living life to the fullest at his mother's side making many precious memories.

She loved to quilt and sew, garden and can. She was an excellent cook and kept an immaculate home.

While she enjoyed traveling and the finer things in life, the thing Ruthie was most proud of was her family…who she was, her parents, brothers and sisters, her child and grandchildren, nieces and nephews; the fierce love they all shared for one another was what gave Ruthie her joy.

Her faith was very important to Ruthie. In her younger years, she taught Vacation Bible School and was always a faithful member of the Loyall First Baptist Church, until she was unable to attend in person due to health reasons.

Ruthie is preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her son, Tommy Wayne Clark; parents, Bill and Ethel Shoemaker; and seven siblings: Herbert, Zella, John Henry, Elmer, Bentley, Faye, and Jimmy; and a special cousin, Linda Clark.

Those left to cherish her memory include three siblings: Billie Sue Disney, Shannon Brashears, and Charles Shoemaker; three grandchildren: William Todd Clark, Christopher Lee Clark, and Rebecca Ann McQueen; three great-grandchildren: Taylor Clark, Gavin McQueen, and Dylan McQueen; daughter-in-law, Shirley Clark; special niece, Joyce Bledsoe; her oldest and dearest friend, Betty Lewis; a great host of dearly loved nieces and nephews; many extended family members and dear friends.

Visitation for Ms. Ruthie Clark will be held Friday, August 1, 2025, in the chapel of Loyall Funeral Home from 11:00am-1:00pm with the funeral beginning at 1:00. Reverend Joshua Howard and Reverend Russell Shoemaker will be officiating. Ruthie will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Bill, at the Resthaven Cemetery, Keith, KY. Family members will serve as pallbearers.

Loyall Funeral Home is honored to assist the family of Ms. Ruth Clark.