Ruth Skaggs Houck

Born in 1919 in Pennington Gap, Virginia, Ruth traveled and lived in many states as her father worked to provide electricity throughout the Appalachians and Florida during the 1920s. In 1939, Ruth met and married Clark Houck, a union which lasted 67 years until Clark’s death. Together they raised three children.

Ruth’s happiest times were playing her favorite jazz tunes on the piano, traveling extensively with Clark in their retirement years, and serving as a frequent substitute teacher at Tyner High School.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Clark Sr., and her oldest daughter, Evelyn.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Margaret and Fred Donnelly of Costa Mesa, California; her son and daughter-in-law Clark Jr. (Skip) and Tisa Houck of Chattanooga; grandson Lee Houck of Brooklyn, New York; grandson Jason and wife Yvette Houck of Winter Park, Florida; great-grandsons Pryce and Graden Houck of Winter Park; and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their thanks to all their friends who have offered their condolences, to the staff and residents at Wellington Place-Hixson for their kindness to Ruth during her time there, to the nurses and staff at NHC during her brief stay, and to Hospice of Chattanooga for their brief but caring support.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June14 from noon until 1:30 pm at the Chattanooga Funeral Home-North Chapel, immediately followed by a brief memorial service at the funeral home. A private graveside service will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to the work of the Salvation Army here in Chattanooga.