Mary Ruth McNelley

MARY RUTH CLARK McNELLEY,  age 79 of Athens, Tenn., went home to be with the Lord, Monday, February 18, 2019, at her residence after an eight year battle with Alzheimer's. She was a native of Monroe County, Tenn., resident of McMinn County most of her life and a daughter of the late William "Bill" Herman and Mary Helen Rhodes Clark. She was  a member of Mt. Verd Baptist Church, which she loved dearly and worked at Niota Textile and North City School Cafeteria. She loved to cook for others, visiting yard sales and spending time with her family. In her spare time, she enjoyed walking in her neighborhood with neighbors. Her generous heart and willingness to help anyone made her a special lady that will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include:

• Husband of 62 years: Charles Edward McNelley of Athens, Tenn.,
• Son and Daughter-in-law: Jeff and Alesia (Tally) McNelley of Ten Mile, Tenn.,
• Granddaughter: Brittany McNelley Saffles of Madisonville, Tenn.,
• Great Grandsons: Raylan Saffles,
• Two Brothers: William Herman Clark, Jr of Sweetwater, Tenn., Don Clark of Sweetwater, Tenn.
• Two Sisters: Johnnie Clark Borden of Sweetwater, Tenn., Brenda Fay Clark Rogers of Sweetwater, Tenn.
• Several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 20, 2019 in the Chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Rev. Curtis Porter officiating.

Interment will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Active pallbearers will be Larry Gibson, Richard Heatherly, Wayne Jarvis, Wayne Martin, Fred Melhorn, and John Tally Melhorn.

The family would like to thank the caregivers from Family Home Care, Hospice nurses and Dr. Johnny Carter for their loving care.

The family will receive friends from 12:00-2:00 P.M. Wednesday in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 in Mary McNelley's name.

Condolences may be sent to www.laycockhobbs.com/notices/Mary-McNelley.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, Athens, Tenn. in charge of arrangements.