Ruth Ellen Cliburn

Ruth Ellen Cliburn, age 89, of Centertown, died Friday, June 12, 2009, at the Golden Living Center in Jefferson City.
She was born on February 29, 1920, near Rushville, a daughter of William James and Nellie Woolston Brandon. However, her birth date was documented as March 1, 1920, because the doctor thought it needed to be a date that came around every year, not every four years.
As her mother was a teacher, she went to school for 12 years in many different cities.
She was united in marriage July 31, 1937, to Lloyd Cliburn by the Minister of Wyatt Park Baptist Church in St. Joseph, Missouri and to this union seven children were born. Lloyd preceded her in death on October, 17, 2000.
Ruth was a homemaker, busy raising her seven children on the family farm near Centertown. She enjoyed tending to her beautiful flowers and spending time on the farm. However, her greatest enjoyment came from her family, who knew her as a devoted mother and Granny.
She was a member of Centertown Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and Bible school for many years. Her class of 16, 17 and 18 year olds grew from seven students, to more than 20 in a very short time.
Ruth is survived by four sons, Sam Cliburn and wife Judy Ann of Jefferson City; Jerry Cliburn and wife Helen of Russellville; Leon Cliburn and Oliver Cliburn of Centertown; one daughter, Alice Kliethermes of Centertown; a daughter-in-law, Judy Cliburn of Centertown; one sister, Naomi McIntyre of Big Lake; six grandchildren Chris Cliburn, Jay Cliburn, Eden Cliburn, Matthew Kliethermes, Brianna Kliethermes and Diana Cooper, seven great grandchildren, Brittany Cliburn, Brandon Cliburn, Hannah Cliburn, Emma Bohrn, T.J. Chandler, Samuel Cooper and Rosemary Cooper, two great-great grandchildren, Logan and Hunter Chandler, also nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, two sons, Steven and Alan Cliburn, one brother, William J. Brandon II and one sister, Rachel Bowland.
Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, June 17, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral in Russellville with Jerry Cliburn officiating. Interment will be in the Enloe Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Tuesday, June 16, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Russellville. Memorial contributions are suggested to the charity of the donor's choice.