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Ruby Joan Clark Worthey was born Sept. 18, 1934, in Waco, to William Nual Clark and Ruby Lee Keith Clark. Joan lived 89 years and passed away peacefully in her home Nov. 24, 2023.
Joan graduated from PSJA High School in Pharr, and continued to Baylor University. She finished her bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas, and continued there to complete a master’s degree. She began her career in education as a teacher in Del Valle. Subsequently, she also taught in McDade, and continued to Elgin, where she spent most of her time. In Elgin, she served as a special education teacher, educational diagnostician, principal and curriculum director.
Joan was active and well-loved in her church as well, serving as a Sunday school teacher for many years, singing in the choir and serving on many committees. In the last number of years, she was honored to participate in the groundbreaking for the new building for the First Baptist Church of Elgin.
Joan was dedicated to her family.
She is preceded in death by her mother and father; her brother, Robert Nual Clark; and her grandchildren, Aria, Iszabela, Isla and Jacob.
She is survived by three children, Michael Keith Worthey and wife Sharon Worthey of Grand Prairie, Michelle Heidemann and husband Randy Heidemann of Glen Jean, West Virginia, and Marshall Worthey and wife Lorrie Worthey of Green Mountain Falls, Colorado.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, Richard and Joanna, Tracie, Gabriel and Karissa, Michael, Joshua and Breanne, Noah, Hannah and Zach and Naomi.
She was blessed also with great and great great-grandchildren, Christina, Faith and Justin, Asher, Nicole, Isaac and Bethany, Abel, Saint, Liam, Asha, Kennet, Avery, Balian and Malakai.
She is also survived by a much-loved sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Wright Clark; and a niece and nephew, Denise and Corey.
A viewing was held Saturday evening, Dec. 2, at Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home in Elgin.
Services were held Sunday, Dec. 3, at 1:30 p.m. in the same location. Interment followed at Elgin Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be sent to First Baptist Church of Elgin, attention to Lottie Moon offering.
