Ruth Margaret Bunkley Malone was born on October 13, 1934 in Denison, Texas, the youngest of five children of Crawford Benard Bunkley and Ruth Smith Bunkley. Ruth Margaret completed Terrell High School in Denison and thereafter studied Elementary Education at North Texas State University. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree, in 1957, from Texas College. Additionally, Ruth Margaret attended Prairie View A&M University and Howard University where she studied Home Economics. She earned a Master's Degree in Reading from Bowie State University in 1982.

Ruth Margaret began her professional career with the Dallas Public School District at H. S. Thompson Elementary School where she taught 2nd grade and subsequently served as the school librarian. While in Dallas, she met Bobby Clyde; they married on July 29, 1962. They were married for over 53 years, until his passing in November of 2015.

The family moved to Austin, Texas in 1969 where Ruth Margaret continued teaching with the Austin Public School System. In 1971, Bobby and Ruth decided to accept a career transfer for Bobby, to Washington, D.C. and reside in Silver Spring. Ruth Margaret worked in the District of Columbia School System at H.D. Cook Elementary School and with the Montgomery County School System at Montrose Elementary School and Kemp Hill Elementary School.

Ruth Margaret had many interest and talents: She was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1954 at Texas College; and was actively involved with the Montgomery County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; White House and Kennedy Center volunteer; Red Hat Society; social bridge; storytelling at the Silver Spring library; State of Maryland Notary Public.

In her leisure time, she enjoyed reading, cooking; travelling; ceramics, needlepoint and swimming. She especially loved her family. She will be missed by her two siblings, Lonnie Bunkley and Mary Lou Kirven; two daughters Rose Marie and Cheryl Linnette; two granddaughters, Kristina and Nina; and many family members and friends.

Funeral Services were held Thursday, September 15, in the Silver Spring Presbyterian Church with arrangements by Richard Gates of Collins Funeral Home.

Thursday, Sept. 22, the family will receive friends at Waldo Funeral Home, Sherman TX from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM followed by Graveside Services at 1:00 PM in Fairview Cemetery, Denison, TX officiated by Rev. C.E. Evans, pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church.

Waldo Funeral Home