Ruby J. Clarke of Lexington, KY formerly of Lewisburg, WV went home to be with God Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
She was born on Apr. 21, 1930 in Lewisburg, WV. She was the daughter of the late Samuel H. and Mary P. Kelly.
She was a graduate of Bolling High School, Lewisburg. She worked in the fine dining and restaurant sector prior to her recruitment and employment by Federal Bureau of Prisons, an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice, as a corrections officer and later promoted to a counselor position. Her service began at FCI Alderson, WV and later retired at FCI Lexington, KY.
Her job often required her to travel and while on a temporary assignment to FCI Lexington, KY, she had a chance encounter with Lawrence Clarke. The two were later married on Nov. 12, 1977 in Lexington, KY. During her career at FCI Lexington, KY, she earned recognition from the U.S. Attorney General, Mr. Edwin Meese for her outstanding service. She served as Black Affairs Coordinator while at FCI Lexington, KY.
She took great pleasure in cooking meals especially for the holidays. Her skills included a most delicious Milky Way Cake and the unforgettable Mississippi Mud bars as well as other delightful desserts, also her famous homemade rolls.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence Clarke, her parents Samuel and Mary Kelly, her sisters, Dora Miller, Harriet Williams, Sarah Spurlock, and Bernice Sears, Ernestine Kelly, her brothers-in-law, Matthew Miller, Sr., Warren Williams, Sr., and Howard Spurlock, Sr., Robert Sears, son, Ronald Woodson and grandson, Keith Brandon.
She is survived by her children Gwendolyn Godfrey, Lexington, KY, Jerry Johnson (Cindy), Sterling Heights, MI, Larry Johnson (Glenna), Williamsburg, VA, Wanda Johnson, Lewisburg, WV, one special son William Richmond, Rand, WV, special cousin, Elizabeth Keys, Lewisburg, WV, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026 at 2 p.m. at John Wesley United Methodist Church 350 Foster Street, Lewisburg, WV. Interment will follow at Rosewood Cemetery in Lewisburg.
The family will be receiving family and friends from 1 p.m. until time of services on Saturday at the church.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of local arrangements. Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com
