Clydene Rutherford

Beryl Clydene Rutherford, aged 90, of Uvalde passed away on Thursday, September 19th.

She was born in Leakey, Texas on July 31, 1929, to Clyde James and Lois Boren Pink and was the oldest of four children.

Clydene grew up on her grandparents’ A.B Boren Ranch in Leakey, and from a very young age she was playing piano “by ear”, as did her mother. Her father was an accomplished violinist and music was always a big part of the family’s entertainment.  She also had a beautiful alto voice and in later years she sang in church choirs, and at one time was part of a popular women’s trio in the Baptist Church of Center Point, Texas that performed at many area churches and civic functions.

In the early 1940s the family moved to Uvalde, where Clydene attended high school and graduated in 1947. By this time, she had met Ray Rutherford of Concan who had recently returned from the Pacific Theater in the Marine Corps during WWII. Ray’s parents managed the concessions at Garner State Park and later opened a small gas station/grocery store named Happy Hollow on the Frio River.

Clydene and Ray married in June, 1947. After the two professed their vows to one another, they moved to a cabin at Garner State Park. Their residency at Garner was short-lived, and Clydene and Ray moved to Uvalde so Ray could attend South West Texas Junior College and begin work on his degrees.  After Ray’s graduation from South West Texas Teachers College in San Marcos in 1952 , they moved to Sonora, Texas to start Ray’s teaching career.

After living in various locations throughout the Hill Country and South Texas over the span of a few decades, including Center Point, Odem, Utopia and Corpus Christi, Clydene and Ray moved to Ingleside, Texas, where Ray had an administrative position at Ingleside Independent School District.  While in Ingleside, Clydene worked as an administrative secretary. During that time, she pursued a college degree, along with studying oil painting under a renowned artist.  She was an excellent artist and had a passion for painting. Over the years, she painted many pieces for friends and family.

By 1981 Clydene and Ray returned to Uvalde and purchased a home. Her sons, Ken and Jimmy, along with their families, also moved to Uvalde during that time. They, along with other family members, formed a country and western band named the Riders of the Purple Sage, in which Clydene was the pianist. This was a fulfilling period for her, where music, her children and grandchildren were able to be an integral part of her life. Clydene and Ray’s home was always open and a hub for family gatherings.

After Clydene moved to Uvalde, she accepted a position as secretarial aide at Uvalde Cluster Five School District and worked there until her retirement at age 74. She was a faithful member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and choir.

Clydene will always be remembered for her positive attitude, and she was always upbeat and smiling, never complaining. Many people mentioned that Clydene was the sweetest person they had ever met. Clydene lived her life for her children and grandchildren – they were the light of her life.

Clydene is survived by her four children: Kathy (Sam) Williamson of Fort Collins, Colorado, Ken (Jackie) Rutherford of Uvalde, Jimmy (Jackie) Rutherford of Uvalde, and Lisa (Ron) Bruce of Rockport; fourteen grandchildren: Jim Williamson of Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico, Dusty (Jason) Wilkins of San Antonio, Mark (Jessie) Williamson of Boulder, Colorado, Roxann (Chris) Steinbruck of Flour Bluff, Chaney (Amy) Rutherford of Boerne, Jodie (Colin) Trulove of Georgetown, Dallas (Robert) Hutsell of Boerne, Jessica (Justin) Hare of Driftwood, Zane Benton of Corpus Christi, Catlin Rutherford of Austin, Meghan (A.J.) of Highland Ranch, Colorado, Rachel Bruce of Seagoville, Wade Rutherford of Uvalde, and Stuart Bruce of Rockport; two sisters, Shirley (Roy) Redden of Utopia, Lavayne (Roy) Johnston of Uvalde; one sister-in-law, Charlcie Pink of Beaumont.

Clydene was preceded in death by her parents Clyde and Lois Pink, her life-long love, Ray, infant brother Kenneth Harold Pink, brother Veryl Leon Pink, and two infant grandchildren, Jacqueline Lois Rutherford and Susan Terrell Rutherford.

Rosary will be recited at 7pm Tuesday, September 24th, and the funeral mass will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde Texas, Wednesday, September 25th at 10am.  Graveside will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Uvalde.

Pallbearers are Jim Williamson, Chaney Rutherford, Zane Benton, Catlin Rutherford, Wade Rutherford, and Stuart Bruce.