Linda Gayle Ruthart Clark, 78, of Paris, Texas, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Linda was born on November 11, 1947, in Slabtown, a little community just 15 miles south of Paris. Her parents were Bunard J. “Jelly” Ruthart and Edna Mae (Henderson) Ruthart.
She grew up in a bustling household full of brothers and sisters, and she carried that love of family with her all her life. She graduated from Paris High School in 1966 and went on to study accounting at Paris Junior College. In 1968, Linda married John “Duck” Campbell, and together they had two children, Gayland and Terri. She later married Anthony Harold Clark in 1984.
Linda had a head for numbers and a heart for hard work. She built her career in accounting, first with Uarco Inc. and then with the Texas Department of Transportation, where she served for 22 years before retiring in 2009.
Anyone who knew Linda knew she loved to dance. She also found joy in her garden, where she spent many happy hours among the beautiful flowers she grew. Above all, Linda had a strong faith in her Lord Jesus Christ, and it carried her through every season of her life. Her family was her greatest treasure, and she loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with her whole heart.
Her family was her greatest treasure, and she loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with her whole heart.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother, Maryles Ruthart Taylor; her beloved son, Gayland “Scratch” Campbell; her former husbands, John “Duck” Campbell and Anthony Harold Clark; and her siblings Frances Ruthart, Bunard “Buddy” Ruthart, Patsy Jean (Ruthart) Bradley, and Sammy J. Ruthart.
She is survived by her daughter, Terri Lynn (Campbell) Cohen; her sister, Sallie Wayne (Ruthart) Faber; and her brother, Bill Ruthart. She was a proud grandmother to Nicklaus Blake Campbell and Palmer Michael Campbell, to Regan Stover and her husband, David, and to Kelsey Dirr and her husband, John. Her great-grandchildren, Grayson Wesley Stover, Smith Campbell Stover, Charlotte Lee Dirr, and James Campbell Dirr, brought her special joy. She also leaves many other family members and friends who will miss her dearly.
A Celebration of Life honoring Linda will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Cowboy Church in the Camp, 786 County Rd 42570, Paris, TX 75462. In honor of Linda’s vibrant spirit, we invite you to wear bright colorful attire. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Linda’s memory to the American Cancer Society‘s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.
