Ruth Fitzgerald Buckner

Ruth Fitzgerald Buckner passed away on Friday, September 2, 2011 in a local health care facility. She was born June 9, 1929 and was a lifelong Cleveland resident. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Ruth was a 50 year charter member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church and longtime member of the Seekers Sunday School class. She loved spending time with her family and visiting her farm where she raised beef cattle. She was a 1946 graduate of Bradley Central High School where she played basketball for 4 years. In 1969 she won the Tennessee singles bowling title in Memphis. She was inducted into the Bradley County Sports hall of fame in 1996 for Basketball. Watching the Atlanta Braves and the Lady Vols were two of her favorite pastimes. In her earlier years she was employed with Southern Bell and retired from Cleveland Bank and Trust Co with over 20 years of service. She was preceded in death by her husband Henry L. Buckner; parents Otto and Virginia Fitzgerald; and brothers Dave Fitzgerald and Arch Fitzgerald. Survivors include her sons Ken Buckner and wife Katherine C. Buckner of Newnan, Georgia and Terry Buckner and wife Kathryn W. Buckner of Cleveland; grandchildren Karley Buckner and Jake Buckner also of Cleveland; one brother Lou Fitzgerald of Cleveland; several cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church with Pastor Robert Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with Rodney Fitzgerald, Mike Fitzgerald, Scott Fitzgerald, Dan Swafford, Jackie Buckner and Ralph Buckner, Jr. serving as pallbearers. The service will conclude with a white dove release ceremony. Her family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church prior to the service. The family suggests that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, 6221 Shallowford Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421 or Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 3405 Peerless Road NW, Cleveland, TN 37311. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Buckner family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com. Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.