Ruth McClure passed away March 2nd, 2021 surrounded by her beloved family. When she passed, she was still her momma’s baby, her sister’s twin, her husband’s one and only true love, her daughters’ best friend, her one and only son’s love of his life, and her grandbabies’ Grammy.
Born May 25, 1960 in El Paso, Texas, she was one of eight, but shared her birthdate with her beloved twin sister, Linda. Although not identical twins, you would often find them gifting each other the exact same thing, matching their outfits, and ultimately raising their children together.
Ruth and Tony met when they were young. Tony told his friends that she would be the woman he married, and sure enough, Tony went from Ruth’s brother’s best friend to Ruth’s loving husband for 38 years. You would often find them wearing matching outfits. If you look through her house, you will find tubes of lipsticks hiding so she would always be ready to put some on for Tony. She prided herself in always being ready and dressed to represent Tony well no matter where they went.
On their wedding day, they packed up their truck and headed to Odessa – just the two of them. During this time, they built a firm foundation of togetherness and teamwork. This time set the tone for the rest to of their marriage. She wholeheartedly believed that together was better, and you would find Ruth, wherever Tony was. She loved being and spending time with him no matter what they were doing. Tony was clearly the love of her life, and you could tell by the way she looked at him, talked about him and took care of him.
She mothered three children – Melinda, Anthony and Cynthia. Her life’s work was to love her family well, keep her home beautiful, and make sure her children knew and loved the Lord. She loved her children with all of her heart. She was their number one fan in all of their endeavors, and never missed a single event – concert, game, celebration or graduation. Her kids are her pride and joy.
She adored her grandbabies. They were her oxygen. Nothing ever got in the way of her spending time with them and doing things for them. She read to them, taught them, built forts for them, and had the most epic slumber parties with them that often ended at “Papa’s iHop.” Her love for them is the purest kind.
Most importantly, Ruth loved the Lord with all of her heart. She loved Jesus and His Word, and it was her greatest desire to live her life in such a way that would honor and glorify Him. It was evident to those who knew Ruth that her love for her family and others stemmed from the deep love she had for God. He planted his living water in her, and out of that abundance, she served others.
She was a Kindergarten aide at Starrett Elementary for 22 years. She made sure that no child went hungry, every Kindergartener knew all their letters and sounds, and every child that walked through her doors was infinitely and wonderfully loved. She served at her church for many years as a Bible and missionary teacher, inspiring others to love the Word of God as much as she did. Her home was always an open door for anyone who needed to be loved and fed. No one ever left her house feeling hungry, but they also always left feeling loved just by being in her presence.
She was passionate about scrapbooking and went on many scrapbooking trips with her sister, sisters-in-law, and friends. She filled many albums of her fondest memories of her children and family. In more recent years, she began Bible journaling. She spent her time reading and studying Scripture, and creating the most beautiful pages in her Bibles. She had no greater joy than to sit in the “Casita” with Tony filling her Bible with the most beautiful colors and highlighting Bible verses that God used to speak to her. Bible journaling was more than just a hobby, but her lifeblood to know the Father more.
She loved worshipping God. She would sing all the way to school and back, and when she wasn’t singing, she was listening to sermons and taking notes so she could remember. God’s favor was all over her life. She would simply need to think of something, and God would show up big for her in that way. Even in her last days, God continued to answer her most fervent prayers right before her eyes.
Everything Ruth touched she made beautiful. She loved the details. She only did things with excellence whether that was hosting family dinners or celebrating birthdays or helping teachers set up their classrooms. Her love, hospitality, and kindness undoubtedly have left a deep, meaningful impact on all those who knew and loved her.
In her final days, she was at complete peace. She knew that whether she was healed on earth or in heaven, she had the world to gain. For she lived out Paul’s statement all the days of her life, “For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:20-21)
She will be sorely missed, but she left a legacy that will impact generations to come.
Those who will miss Ruth the most include her husband, Antonio McClure Jr., and her children Melinda McClure Sanchez and husband Norberto Sanchez, Anthony McClure and his wife Hilda McClure, and Cynthia Arenado and husband Gerardo Arenado; her grandchildren, who lovingly called her Grammy, Benjamin Anthony Sanchez, Isaac Alexander Sanchez, Ruth Victoria McClure Sanchez, and Micah Gerardo Arenado; her mother, Raquel Gonzalez; her seven siblings, Daniel Gonzalez (Virginia), Joel Gonzalez (Alma), Linda Ontiveros (Carlos), Adam Gonzalez (Cecilia), Robert
Gonzalez (Josie), Gilbert Gonzalez (Margie), and Samuel Gonzalez (Ninfa); and many nieces, nephews and friends too numerous to list.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.beanmasseyburge.com for the McClure family.
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