Ruby Clinton, 95
She was born on August 12, 1930, in Bonny Blue, Virginia, to her parents, William and Martha Millsaps. She married the love of her life, William Kenneth Clinton, on December 16, 1947, in Rossville, Georgia. Together, they built a loving family of four children, eight grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren. She enjoyed camping and traveling with her family. She dearly loved them all, and that love was joyfully returned to her. She Loved singing in church and hearing the preaching and teaching of the Bible.
Ruby took great pride in being a hard-working employee, spending her life working in various places, culminating in several years in housekeeping at Marshall Voss Healthcare Facility, where she retired at the age of 77.
Blessed with good health for most of her life, she was a strong and vibrant woman. She remained so even when faced with challenging health issues in her later years. Even when affected by dementia, she never forgot her love for her Lord or her family. She loved to sing, and it was not uncommon for visitors to ask her to sing for them. Two of her favorite songs were “Oh How I Love Jesus,” which she would proudly say she sang the alto part, and “Jesus Loves the Little Children.”
Her singing “claim to fame,” however, was her spontaneous and spirited renditions of “Rocky Top,” complete with her signature rolling of the R’s. She loved watching the Vols play football and basketball and was even known to win over a few Alabama fans with her performance. She also loved ending visits with her family by singing “l Love You a Bushel and a Peck.”
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, William Kenneth Clinton; her parents, William and Martha Millsaps; her siblings, Hermus Millsaps, Thelma Pressley, Ethel Gerthung, Willie Mae Roberts, James Millsaps, Louise Keeney, Dorothy Bauer, and Betty Westmoreland; and her sons-in-law, Robert Woods and Eddie Lemons.
She is survived by her children: Gail Woods of Kingston, Cathy Lemons of Kingston, Sharon (Ratchet) Miller of Rockwood, and Kenny (Becky) Clinton of Kingston; her grandchildren: Robert Woods of Cookeville, Keith Woods of Lenoir City, Kristy Brown of Kingston, Allan Thompson of Rockwood, Tracy Thompson of Rockwood, Travis Lemons of Maryville, Landon Rector of Rockwood, and Jared Clinton of Kingston; along with several great-grandchildren; her brother, Floyd (Betty) Millsaps of Sparta; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 1 1 AM until 1:00 PM on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the Kyker Funeral Home Chapel in Kingston, with a Celebration of Life to follow at 1 PM. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 PM at Roane Memorial Gardens. Kyker Funeral Home in Kingston is serving the Clinton family.
The family would like to express special thanks to the staff at Amedisys Hospice and Jamestowne Assisted Living for their loving care and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“Jesus Loves the Little Children.”
