Daisy "Ruth" Ashley Clark

Daisy “Ruth” Ashley Clark was called home by God, peacefully and gently, on March 20, 2025. She was 90 years old. She was born in Rock Hall, MD on April 14, 1934, the daughter of the late Willard and Elizabeth Ashley. She attended Rock Hall High School with the class of 1952. On October 1, 1949, she married Charles Franklin “Charlie” Clark, Sr. and the two had seven beautiful children between the years of 1950 – 1959, all born and raised in Rock Hall. She began working for Campbell Soup for about six years in the early 1960s. She then went to work for Clark’s Store. After her time at Clark’s Store, she also owned and operated both a general store in Piney Neck and the Rock Hall Snack Bar. Ruth was an active attendee of Kennedyville United Methodist Church and was a member of the Kennedyville United Methodist Women. She was also a member and past president of the Soroptimist Club. She enjoyed playing cards with her Wednesday card group, as well as bowling on the Wednesday Night Ladies League at Queen Anne Bowling Center. As a young teenager, she worked as a pinsetter at the Rock Hall Bowling Lanes. She was also a member of the Ladies of the Elks. She went on many cruises and thoroughly enjoyed them all, but especially loved visiting Canada, Ireland, and New England. She was a die-hard Orioles fan. Most of all, she loved being the matriarch or “Queenie” of the Ashley and Clark families: cooking for them, planning parties and reunions, and attending school events for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Charlie Clark (2000); son, Larry Clark (1995); grandson, Adam Maloney (2020); and sisters, Flora Elbourn (1989) and Edna Unruh (2014). She is survived by her children: Rev. Vonnie Paxton (Bill), Rita Kulley (Eddie), Chucky Clark (Rebecca), Lori Campbell, Gail Manley (Richard), and Ruthie Maloney (Lester); sisters, Brenda Biddle and Helen Taylor (Joel); as well as 13 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. Services will be held on Tuesday, March 25 at 1:00 pm at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home in Chestertown. A visitation will be held two hours prior, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Interment to follow in Wesley Chapel Cemetery. Following the burial everyone is invited to join the family at the Rock Hall Fire House for refreshments and a time of fellowship. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Kennedyville United Methodist Church Piano Fund (PO Box 32, Kennedyville, MD 21645), Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company (21500 Rock Hall Ave, Rock Hall, MD 21661) or the Soroptimist Club (PO Box 389, Rock Hall, MD 21661).

Daisy "Ruth" Ashley Clark

April 14, 1934 - March 20, 2025