Ruth Elizabeth McLendon's Obituary
Ruth Elizabeth Herrin McLendon
Funeral Services for Ruth Elizabeth Herrin McLendon will be held at 12:00 Noon Friday June 21, 2002, at the First Baptist Church of Longview with the Rev. Dewayne Beaty presiding. Committal will follow at the Rosewood Park Mausoleum under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Thursday evening , June 20, at Rader Funeral Home, 1617 Judson Rd., Longview, Texas.
Ruth was born on an Easter Sunday evening, April 8, 1917, in a rural family farmhouse in Rusk County to Maud Vastine Watson Herrin and James Ephriam Herrin. She was the youngest of 8 children. After growing up on the farm, she attended Henderson High School, where she graduated 2nd in her class. She subsequently attended business college in Palestine, Texas, before moving to Longview in 1937, where she first worked as a secretary for Universal Credit Company. In 1938 she was a con-testant in the Miss Longview Pageant. She married William C. McLendon in Longview on September 16, 1939, which was the start of a 62 year loving marriage. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School to two year olds for 27 years. She served for two years as president of the Longview Kiwanis Auxiliary. For over 20 years she was the Financial Manager for the family owned McLendon Radio Communications Business. However for most of her life, she was a wonderful loving, Christian Mother and housewife for her husband and 4 children.
Following a year-long struggle with a degenerating heart and lung condition, she passed away in Longview surrounded by family at approximately 2 AM on June 17, 2002. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, William C. Mclendon, Sr.; and children, Bob & Susan McLendon of Richardson, Texas, Dr. William C. & Susan McLendon of Longview, Texas; Larry & Ginger McLendon of Dallas, Texas, Keith & Gaynel Thompson of Adelaide, South Australia. She is also survived by Grandchidlren James & Michele McLendon, Terri & Scott Burghart, John & Kris McLendon, Charisse & Rob Tolleson, Will McLendon 111, Karie Gasper, John Gasper, Luke Humphrey, Ross McLendon, Lauren Thompson, and Valerie Thompson; as well as Great Grandchildren Scarlett Burghart6, Trey McLendon4, Miles McLendon2, and Nicole Mclendon1.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Children?s Ministry, 209 E. South St., Longview, Texas 75601
Those unable to attend may sign an on-line memorial book at www.raderfh.com in the obituary section, and later view the funeral service through the funeral-cast icon.
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