Jo Ruth Fortenberry Clarke, of San Angelo, passed on July 3 in Richardson, Texas surrounded by her family. She was 91 years old. Jo Ruth was born in Hooker Ridge, Texas on July 1, 1926. She was the youngest child of Harold and Ida Fortenberry. She spent her childhood in Lone Oak, Texas with her parents and 7 siblings on the family farm. After graduation from Lone Oak High School, Jo moved to Dallas to work where she soon met the love of her life, Tommy Clarke. They were married on June 6, 1946 and were blessed with three children; Jim, Jerry and Penni. Tommy and Jo were married for 63 years until Tommy passed in 2009. Jo loved gardening and spending time in her lovely backyard. She also had numerous creative talents including quilting and china painting. Tommy and Jo loved to travel and saw almost all of the fifty states. Jo volunteered for several organizations in San Angelo. She served with the Alzheimer's Caregiver's Support Group, San Angelo State School in Carlsbad, and Meals for the Elderly. She delivered meals for well over 30 years. She was a past member of the San Angelo Garden Club and Beta Sigma Phi. Jo loved her church, First Baptist of San Angelo. She taught 2nd grade Sunday School there for 40 years. She also loved the Homebound Ministry. Mom loved to read her bible daily and listen to hymns. Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Harold Fortenberry and Ida Mae Fortenberry; her 7 siblings, and her husband, Thomas James Clarke.She is survived by Thomas James Clarke III (wife Anne), of Sachse, TX, Gerald Walter Clarke (wife Jane) of Austin, TX and Penni Clarke Kappmeyer (husband Larry) of Cairo, Egypt. Nana Jo had 6 grandchildren:
Jennifer Clarke, Jason Clarke, Jake Clarke, Paige Kappmeyer, Clarke Kappmeyer and Ross Kappmeyer. She was also blessed with five great grandchildren: Ethan Johnson, Kate Johnson, Roman Clarke, Hilton Grace Clarke and Cruz Clarke. Pallbearers include: Jason Clarke, Clarke Kappmeyer, Ross Kappmeyer, Jake Clarke, Scott Richards, Nathan Yates, Ezekiel Ramirez, Ethan Johnson. A family visitation will be held Wednesday, July 5, from 6-8 pm at Johnson's Funeral Home. A funeral service will be at 1 PM, Thursday, July 6, in Johnsons Funeral Home Chapel with Internment following at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to San Angelo Meals for the Elderly.
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