Clara Ruth (Patterson) Parke, 79, of Douglassville, passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2014, in the Chester County Hospital. She was the wife of the late Donald Louis Parke. Born in Clarksville, TN, she was a daughter of the late John Wesley and Anna Blake (Darnell) Patterson.

Mrs. Parke had been employed as Children’s Director of the Methodist Conference in Kentucky from 1958-1960 and then also for the New Jersey Conference. She was a first grade teacher for over 30 years at the French Creek Elementary School. She then tutored and also evaluated home schooled children.

Mrs. Parke was a voracious reader and even read story time to neighboring church children at her retirement community in Douglassville. Ruth ran a white elephant sale at French Creek Elementary for many years, but never included her fine collection of over 100 elephants. She was a member of the Coventryville United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Parke is survived by her son, Louis Parke, of Cape Cod, Mass and twelve nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Edna Hadden, Mary Jewel Davidson, Mattie Mae Patterson, James Wesley Patterson, Clarence Rudolph Patterson, Verda Louise Napier and Mildred Alice Taylor.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday evening, February 11, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. at the Coventryville United Methodist Church, 1521 Old Ridge Road, Pottstown, PA. Officiating will be the Rev. Rick L. Hostetter. Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are being handled by the Cattermole-Klotzbach Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered online at www.RoyersfordFuneralHome.com.