Ruth Mcalpin Stark

Funeral services for Ruth McAlpin Stark, 88, of Corrigan will be held Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Buster Grigg officiating. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito, Texas. Mrs. Stark, the daughter of a Baptist minister, was born November 3, 1927 in Hallsville, Texas to the late William Henderson Ackley and Willie Luecrecia (Lockhart) Ackley, and died Wednesday, May 18, 2016 in a local hospital. Formerly of San Benito, Mrs. Stark had resided in Corrigan more than 15 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Corrigan. Ruth was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was a beautician, but most famous for being an Artist. God blessed Ruth with a talent. From a very young age she taught herself the art of drawing. She later studied at the University of Houston before going on to study with internationally known artists. Being very motivated and an entrepreneur, she would raise four children, be a hairstylist, paint by commission and teach art in her own art studio and gallery. Ruth displayed her art work in many galleries throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Her thirst for creating gave her talent in all medias: oil, acrylic, and water color, and her unmatched talent let her replicate God’s work in landscapes, portraits, animals, and flowers….in different techniques, with paint brushes, pallet knifes, and even her fingers. She could bring to life a painting of a deer or ducks from an old pressed chipped plywood that covered the windows after a hurricane. Ruth had no boundaries to her talent or her challenges. She would do live demonstrations and complete a whole painting in front of an audience. She was very involved in participating in community events and would paint your portrait in 30 minutes. She has painted a mural at the San Benito Elks Lodge, and even painted a carnival building front. Ruth was a member of the Brownsville Art League, Harlingen Art League, and more recently, the Livingston Art League. She has won numerous awards from First Place to Honorable Mention in art competitions. She was very sought after by many to commission a painting. With her talent she could create their vision. Now our Ruth is in Heaven, painting Jesus’ portrait in person. Survivors include her daughters and son-in-law, Joy Lynette Sterling of Moscow and Lawana McDonald Whittenburg and Danny Whittenburg of Corrigan; grandchildren, Lynette K. Hurley, Dayna Y. Parrish, Marvin E. Hurley and wife Debbie, April K. Dunning, Chelsea Fitzgerald and husband Juan Garcia, and Michael Fitzgerald and wife Maddy; great-grandchildren, Greg Nobles and wife Erin, Levi Hurley, Evan Latham, Kyle Parrish, Lane Hurley, Collin Parrish, Caden Parrish, Addison Garcia, Kalee Garcia, and Micah Fitzgerald; and great-great-grandson, Gavin Nobles. She was preceded in death by her parents; second husband, Frank Stark; son, Marvin E. McAlpin, Jr.; and daughter, Judy K. McAlpin Kelly. Pallbearers will be Danny Whittenburg, Juan Garcia, Michael Fitzgerald, Marvin Hurley, Levi Hurley, and Jerry Parrish. Honorary pallbearers will be Cecil McDonald, Bill Ackley, Ed Spear, Lane Hurley, Greg Nobles, Kyle Parrish, Collin Parrish, Caden Parrish, and Evan Latham. The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon prior to the services. Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com. Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.