Ruby Dell Clifton Ethridge, age 98, passed away Friday, August 11, 2023, in Malvern, Arkansas. She was born on April 18, 1925, near Donaldson, Arkansas, the youngest child of John J. and Hattie Kilmer Clifton. Ruby was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She grew up during the Depression on a farm, but said that she never felt poor, because she always had plenty to eat and a large family to spend time with. She was a 1943 graduate of Donaldson High School, and she saw several changes as many of her classmates and friends left to go to war, or to large cities to support the war effort. She married Herman Ethridge on October 10, 1953, and they had 63 wonderful years together as they continued to reside in or near Malvern for the remainder of their lives. Ruby was a member of Sardis Primitive Baptist Church, and a member of Harp EHC for 50 years, and the Arkansas Blue Grass Association.

Ruby was known for her love of sewing and music, which were both instilled in her by her mother at an early age. She and Herman enjoyed decades of playing music together, and with the many musician friends they made through the years. She made her first dress at age 11, and her last sewing project was a quilt that she finished during the COVID pandemic.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, three brothers: Dewey, Jewell, and Loy Clifton, three sisters: Myrtie Nix, Lorene Gray, and Opal Davis, and great grandson Brandon Pettit, two nieces and one nephew.

Left to cherish her memory are daughters Janis (Paul) Johnson of Malvern, and

Debbie (Otis) Scott of Texarkana, Texas; grandchildren Chris (Clare) Graham and Sarah

Beason of Malvern, Erin Beason of Bismarck, Scott Melton of Prague, Czech Republic, and John (Lauren) Melton of Maumelle, Arkansas; seven great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Thursday, August 17th at 10 am, at Regency Funeral Home with Elder Jesse Stripland officiating. Visitation is on Wednesday, August 16, from 6:00-8:00pm at Regency Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Round Hill Cemetery directly following the service.

Palbearers will be Chris Graham, John Melton, Scott Fite, Alan Nix, Terry McDermott, and John Ethridge.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Roundhill Cemetery Association, PO Box 1226 Malvern, AR 72104

Arrangements by Regency Funeral Home. Guestbook, regencyfuneralhome.com