Ruth Elizabeth Goodwin Tate of Bolingbrook, IL passed away, February 26, 2024, with her family by her side at the age of 95 years, 2 months and 14 days. She was born to parents John Lee and Mary Ethel (Griffin) Stout, December 12, 1928 in Wynne, AR. She was married to the late Clifford O. Goodwin on January 6, 1945, and they started their life together in Trumann, AR before relocating to the Chicagoland area settling and raising their family in Hinsdale, IL and returned back to Trumann after raising their children. She later married the late Willis R. Tate on May 22, 1993.
Ruth is survived by her 4 children, Mary Diane Lyman, Roy O. (Jody) Goodwin, John D. (Kathy) Goodwin, Sandra D (Steve S.) Vanderzanden; sixteen grandchildren; Jeffery, Steven, Terrance, Bradford, Michelle, Amber, Celia, James, Tracey, John, Michelle, Amber, Celia, Jason, Michael, Elizabeth, Christopher, Joshua, Samantha and a host of great-grandchildren.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband Clifford O. Goodwin in 1991, husband Willis Tate in 2019, her children Clifford L. Goodwin in 1952, Deborah Arnold in 2014, grandson Roy T. Goodwin in 1981, her brothers Jesse L. Stout, Carl Stout, Bernard Stout and Marion Stout as well as sons-in-law, Edward Lyman and Wallace Vanderzanden.
Ruth worked at S.S. Kresge located in Oak Brook, Illinois and later went to Kmart in Bolingbrook, IL and finished her career at Kmart in Jonesboro, AR. She loved church, reading from the bible, gardening, the outdoors and watching basketball. She was full of joy when watching her younger children and grandchildren playing their individual sports. She was involved in many church activities and was always caring for others.
The family will receive friends Sunday, March 3rd from 3:00 to 4:00 pm at Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann. A Celebration of life will be Monday, March 4th at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of Thompson Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Loggins officiating.
Burial will follow in Nettleton Cemetery in Jonesboro, Ark.