Ruth Jean (Clayton) Cravens McClellan

Ruth Jean Cravens McClellan was born on May 17, 1935, in Ralls, Texas to Ernest and Clara Mae Clayton Cravens.  Her mother passed away in 1948 when Ruth was 12 years old, and she was raised by her aunts, Anner Clayton Yeager and Naomi Clayton Flowers.  Ruth grew up between Ralls and Amarillo and graduated from Old Carver.  She joined the Mount Olive Baptist Church at an early age and was a lifelong member. After graduation from high school, she studied cosmetology and later became a Plus Size Clothing model when she lived in Denver, Colorado.  Ruth married Joe Lewis McClellan, but the marriage ended in divorce. 

Ruth loved her family and was big sister to all of her younger cousins.  Being from a family of cooks and chefs she became an avid cook and collector of recipes.  She liked canning and her cousins looked forward to the jellies and preserves she mailed to them every year.  There was always food at her house, especially dessert like pound cakes and pies.  She liked to read, sew, make quilts and clothing. She loved to read the Bible.  Her favorite verse was Psalms 23.  

As her health declined, she moved to a convalescent hospital where she was frequently visited by family, friends and church members who read the Bible and said prayers with her.  They also brought home cooked meals and other foods.   

She is survived by cousins Doyle Raye Clayton Sr., Amarillo; Bettye Joyce Clayton Tynes; Pomona, California; Barbara Ann Clayton, El Dorado Hills, California and Shirley Clayton White, Cleburne, Texas; a host of other relatives, friends and the Mount Olive Church.   

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