Ruth Word Robinson

Ruth Word Robinson, 93, of Clarendon died Wednesday, August 10, 2022, in Clarendon.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 19, 2022 (on her 94th birthday) in the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Terry Tamplen, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Viewing will be held Thursday, August 18, 2022, at the funeral home with the family receiving friends for visitation from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Ruth was born August 19, 1928, in Clarendon to William Marvin and Charlie May Taylor Patman. She was a lifelong resident of Clarendon where she was a graduate of Clarendon High School and Clarendon College. She then attended West Texas State University where she was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and was voted Personality Queen and Sun Bowl Princess. She married Robertson Ingham Word on June 25, 1949 and he preceded her in death on May 10, 1973. Ruth had a rewarding teaching and counseling career, working at Idalou, Pleasant Valley, Vernon, Hereford, and Clarendon Jr. College. She later married Joe Frank Robinson on January 21, 1977 and he preceded her in death on March 22, 2017. Ruth was involved in many organizations in Clarendon where she served as President of the Saints’ Roost Museum board from 1999-2002, member of the Clarendon College Board of Regents, Friends of the Library, Red Hatters Society, Donley County Historical Commission, and the Donley County Courthouse Lighting Committee to name a few. She was a proud relative of Col. Charles Goodnight and was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church.

Ruth was loved by many, and she loved deeply in return. Some of her favorite loves include, of course, her family, her friends, and the many students whose lives she touched over the years. But also Clarendon College, the First United Methodist Church of Clarendon, and the Willard Skelton Sunday School class. She got a particular delight playing Rummy Dummy with her friends, entertaining Goodnight relatives at the Saints’ Roost Chuckwagon Cook-off, and watching (and loudly cheering for) Patrick Mahomes. And we would be remiss if we failed to mention her abiding affection for Sonic ice, clearance sales at Talbots and Dillards, Snickers chocolate bars, and Diet Coke.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; a stepson, Jim Robinson; a step son-in-law, Ronny Longan; and three brothers, Ardis, Allen, and Billy Patman.

She is survived by her son, Bill Word of Clarendon; her daughter, Libby Talley and husband Billy of Amarillo; her stepchildren, Jack Robinson and wife Susan of Amarillo, Joe Robinson, Jr. of Junction, and Janny Longan of Howardwick; 14 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family.

The family requests that memorials be sent to the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon.