Tami Cleland Carruthers

Tami Cleland Carruthers, age 48, of Austin passed away on Monday, February 28, 2011. She was born June 21, 1962 in Memphis, Tennessee to William and Bobbie Cleland. Tami had battled cancer and its side effects since 1985.

She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Bill Cleland. Survivors include her husband, Dave Carruthers; mother, Bobbie Cleland; sister, Tina Stephens and husband Joel; nephew, Travis Stephens; stepson, Mark Carruthers and wife Chelsey; and many friends.

She Was a Phantom of Delight

WILLIAM WORDSWORTH (1770-1850)

She was a phantom of delight

When first she gleamed upon my sight;

A lovely apparition, sent

To be a moment's ornament;

Her eyes as stars of twilight fair;

Like twilight's, too, her dusky hair;

But all things else about her drawn

From May-time and the cheerful dawn;

A dancing shape, an image gay,

To haunt, to startle, and waylay.

I saw her upon nearer view,

A spirit, yet a woman too!

Her household motions light and free,

And steps of virgin liberty;

A countenance in which did meet

Sweet records, promises as sweet;

A creature not too bright or good

For human nature's daily food,

For transient sorrows, simple wiles,

Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles.

And now I see with eye serene

The very pulse of the machine;

A being breathing thoughtful breath,

A traveler between life and death;

The reason firm, the temperate will,

Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill;

A perfect woman, nobly planned

To warn, to comfort, and command;

And yet a spirit still, and bright

With something of angelic light.