Mary Ruggles' Obituary
The life remembrance of Mary Clair Wyatt Ruggles
Her adventures began at birth in Jackson, TN on 06/08/1939 to the parents of Kenneth and Margaret Wyatt.
She was the eldest of 5 sisters and 2 brothers that she loved very much.
She grew up in Jackson and remained there until she entered the University of Tn. Where she joined the Sigma Kappa Sorority which she supported until her final days. Mary met Albert Case Ruggles, her chemistry tutor and later married him in Jackson. They had their first Son Albert while still in school in 1962. She graduated from UT with a Masters’ degree in Microbiology. Following graduation she held a position in the Biology lab at Clemson University as Albert completed a doctorate in chemistry. From there they went to Ohio State for more studies and work. On occasions they combined their educations to brew beer for friends in the basement. In Feb. 1967 her second son was born to the adventure. They soon relocated to Longview, TX where she raised her children and worked at Good Shepherd Hospital in the Microbiology Dept. During the raising of her children, she spent an exurbanite amount of time on adventures with the Family, hunting, fishing, scuba diving, hiking, touring civil war battle fields, and teaching her children with endless patients. Friends were countless on these adventures. Hunting took her to Africa twice, the Arctic Circle, British Columbia and all over the west. She climbed a couple 14ers. From the start of her marriage she loved going to multi day car events all over the country where she found and maintained lifelong friends. Formula one and Petite Lemans were a mainstay. Her last race here was circuit of the Americas formula one in Austin when it rained 20 inches. She did not miss a day. She experienced, appreciated life for what it was never complained.
Mary Clair finished out her career working for the Longview Environmental Health department which she enjoyed immensely until retirement. After retirement she kept busy with her same hobbies, sharing them with grandchildren she cherished. Her life was further blessed with a good church family.
She passed away in her sleep 04/06/16. She will be greatly missed by her family and just as much by her friends that are family indeed...
She is survived by her son Albert, his sons Gareth, Travis and daughter Shelby and son Ashley his Wife Dawn, their 2 sons Stuart, Austin and Daughter Ashley Taylor and a host of extended family.
A Celebration of her Life Service will be 2pm, Friday, April 15, 2016 at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. Visitation will be the night before at the funeral home from 5pm-7pm.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?