Wilberta Ruth Blaylock Richardson, age 89, of Cookeville, TN, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, June 26, 2026. We gather to honor her life and invite you to join us in celebrating her memory. Services will be held at The Chapel of Goff Funeral Home, Monterey, TN. Her nephew, Wayne Blaylock, will officiate with interment to follow in the Stamps Cemetery. Born on Friday, September 4,1936 in Cookeville, TN to Emery and Lola Blaylock, Ruth lived a life defined by her warmth, generosity, and devotion to others.
Ruth was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, and a faithful friend whose greatest joy was spending time with the people she loved. Raised on Blaylock Mountain in Cookeville, Tennessee, she grew up surrounded by family and carried those close family ties throughout her life. She especially loved gathering with her brothers and sisters, where there was always plenty of good food, laughter, and stories to share. Some of her favorite memories were made while sewing, quilting, and cooking with her sisters.
She married her sweetheart, Claude, whom she had known since childhood as they grew up near one another. Together they shared 53 wonderful years of marriage, building a life rooted in faith, love, and service. As a Navy wife for 20 years, she faithfully supported her husband through military life, including two tours in the Philippines. During that time, she volunteered with the Red Cross, led women’s Bible studies, and assisted in ministry through the Christian Serviceman’s Center. Together, she and Claude served in ministry for more than 40 years. She had a special gift for hospitality, and she found joy caring for others through food and fellowship. Her table was a place where everyone felt loved and cared for. One thing was always certain: No one ever left Grandma’s house hungry. She will be remembered for her love of a good cup of Folger’s coffee to start her day, her competitive spirit playing dominoes, her generous heart, and her deep love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the countless meals shared around her table, the lives she touched through her ministry, and all the memories she shared with those she loved most.
She was preceded in death by her late husband, Claudie Lee Richardson; son, Donald Emery Richardson; her parents, Emery Mathias Blaylock and Nancy Lola Henry Blaylock; her siblings, Ollie Swafford, Ethelene Lee, Golda Hargis, Delma Turner, Johnny Blaylock, and her infant brother, Harold. She is survived by her children, Connie (Joel) Laucker of Russellville, AR and Lana Richardson of Cookeville, TN; her 8 grandchildren: Tod Richardson, Ruth Skaggs, Donna (Jeremy) Knight, Chris Lauckner (Brandy), Cassie Lauckner, Cameron (Regan) Lauckner, Austin (Tayler) Witt, Madison Witt; 18 great-grandchildren, Mikyla & Dalton Richardson, Ashlyn, Micah (Chloe) & Jacob Davis, Emma, Dawson & Brileigh Skaggs, Linley, Knox & Nash Lauckner, Brody McCormick, Piper & Coulter Crain, Avaleigh, Aislee & Attley Lauckner, and Rory Witt; 1 great-great grandchild, June Davis, her brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Janice Blaylock, brother-in-law, Eddie Richardson Jr.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she loved dearly. The family will receive friends at Goff Funeral Home on Sunday, June 28, 2026, from 12:00 PM until time of services at 2:00 PM. Arrangements and Care provided by D.M. Goff Funeral Home, Inc., 205 East Cleveland Avenue, Monterey, Tennessee 38574, Phone, 931.839.2311.