Mittie Ruth Mcclendon

Mittie Ruth McClendon was born on August 1, 1920 in Union, South Carolina. She was born the second of eight children to Ella and Haskell Free. Ruth graduated from Stephens Lee High School in 1938. In 1942, Ruth met and married Adolphus Sanders. From this union she bore her only daughter in 1943, Doris Eugenia Sanders, who preceded her in death in 1947. Her first son, Michael Sanders, was born on August 11 th , 1950. Ruth became a widow in 1951, losing Adolphus suddenly to a heart condition. Ruth enjoyed traveling with her sister, Christine throughout the eastern United States, and Canada. Ruth lived in several states, finally settling in Buffalo, New York. She remarried in 1958, becoming Mrs. Zack McClendon. From this union, Darnel McClendon was born on June 13 th , 1959. Ruth was a studious, bright, and diligent worker. She acquired many different talents over the course of her life, studying hairdressing, key punch, secretarial services, and healthcare while raising two young children. Ruth was employed by Rosa Coplon Jewish Home and Infirmary as a Nursing Assistant until her retirement in 1985. Ruth became a widow for the second time in December 1988. A wholehearted lover of Jesus Christ and a baptized Christian, Ruth was passionate about ensuring that all souls she encountered knew the love and salvation of Jesus. She was a member of several churches throughout her adulthood, including Youngs Tabernacle, and New Hope Church of God in Christ, where Elder Ureese Chillis presided over her initiation onto the Board of Mothers in 1981. A Sunday school teacher and dedicated usher, you could often find Ruth taking communion to homebound seniors on first Sunday. Ruth had the kind of quiet, relentless determination to find joy and meaning in her life that most people can only hope to gather over a lifetime. She weathered many storms and saw many sorrows. While it would have been easy for her to allow these hardships to overcome her, Ruth never allowed it to happen. Throughout her life, Ruth remained gracious, optimistic, good natured, and above all, deeply grateful to God. Our beloved Ruth was an avid seamstress, a talented baker, and a fabulous storyteller. In her later years, she could often be heard regaling stories of her upbringing with her seven siblings. Ruth entered into eternal rest on Saturday April 18, 2020, after 99 years of good and faithful service. Ruth is preceded in death by; Mother and Father, Ella and Haskell Free; first husband, Adolphus and second husband, Zack; Daughter, Doris; Sister, Queen Caldwell; Sister, Alleen Johnson; Sister, Christine Littlejohn; Brother, Earl Neal Free; Brother, Luster Free; Brother Haskell Free, Jr.; and Daughter-in-Law, Gloria (Michael) Sanders. Ruth leaves behind to treasure her spirit; her loving sons, Michael (Gloria), and Darnel; her Stepson, Zack, Jr.; her dear sister, Salley husband Eugene; two grandsons, Kelly and Steven (Adrienne); One Great-Granddaughter, Ava; a host of Nieces and Nephews; close friend of the family, Pamela, and devoted caretaker, Yvonne, who she regarded as a granddaughter.