Tassie Bennett Ruark

Tassie Bennett Ruark, 64, of Bogart, died March 14, 2021.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Dolores Smithson Bennett and Milton W. Bennett.  Tassie grew up in Smyrna, Georgia and attended Campbell High School. After high school she attended the University of Georgia where she received Bachelors of Education with a degree in Special Education. Tassie then went on to receive a Masters of Education from Georgia State University with a degree in Vocational and Career Development. While at UGA she met her husband, Tommy Ruark. They were married on September 4, 1976. This year would have been their 45th anniversary. Tommy and Tassie settled in Athens, Georgia in 1980 where they made a home for their family and enjoyed cheering on the Bulldogs. Tassie and Tommy were a great example of a what a Christian marriage is supposed to be. She was a devoted wife who constantly put Tommy above her own self.  Tassie and Tommy were longtime members of Beech Haven Baptist Church and raised their family to love and know God. The past eight years they have been attendees at Athens Church.

Their home was warm and welcoming, and had an open door for family, friends, children, parties, and activities. Tassie never met a stranger and was well known in the community for her extravagant Easter Egg Hunts and pool parties. She was the definition of hostess with the mostest!

Food was Tassie’s love language. She served for years at Beech Haven Baptist Church cooking Wednesday Night Supper. She regularly provided meals to family, friends, friends of friends, acquaintances, and even strangers. She never hesitated to step up and fulfill a need by providing food. She was a fantastic cook and beyond generous with her talent.

Tassie’s passion was education! She began her teaching career at M.D. Collins in Special Education. She then took a job as a Vocational Teacher at Winder Barrow High School. Tassie then went to work for Rick’s Educational Services where she had the privilege of introducing Apple Computers to School Systems and elementary students across the State of Georgia. She continued her passion for education teaching both adult literacy and ESL at Athens Tech. Tassie tutored privately for many years before developing a passion for teaching English to Chinese and Korean students. They brought her immeasurable love and joy. She always had a themed lesson complete with a food craft and special treat. She made each lesson special! Tassie had the privilege of visiting many of her students on trips to both China and South Korea.

Tassie’s passion for education was rivaled only by her love for travelling. She was always ready for a trip and excited to go someplace new. Tassie was once an avid skier and a definite beach bum. She and Tommy first vised New Smyrna Beach in 1978 and it became a yearly tradition that included both family and friends. She never left a destination without planning her next trip.

At age fifty Tassie fell in love with Africa. She began her work with Global Samaritans Children’s Home in 2005 and shared her love by leading teams and inviting others to be part of the organization. Tassie was a fantastic fundraiser and champion for Global Samaritans. She was always gathering supplies for the staff and children. Tassie was a long-time sponsor of Hilary Mate and loved him like her own son. She talked with Hilary frequently and was so proud of his recent marriage.

Tassie’s lasting legacy is her three daughters, Erin Porter, Alicia Ruark and Alexandra Ruark. She loved being a mom to girls and dedicated her life to helping them grow into amazing women. Countless miles and minutes were spent driving all around Athens carting her girls to dance classes, softball practices, swim meets, and music lessons. Tassie made sure that her girls grew up in church, taking them and often working church events and camps herself. She tried her best to teach her girls how to cook and always included them in her service of others. She helped each of her daughters as they began to navigate adulthood, and made grand efforts to support them in all aspects of their lives. Erin has already taken on love of party planning. She passed on her passion for teaching to Alicia, and they enjoyed planning lessons and tutoring together. Alex has Tassie’s heart for caring for others as a nurse. Tassie was the kind of mom that everyone deserves.

Over the last seven years Tassie fully embraced her title as “Nana” to her two grandsons, JP and Thomas Porter. From the endless spoiling, to ball practices, school events, meals, cookie baking, and sleep overs, she lived to love on the two boys. During quarantine in 2020 she even took on the role of teacher to JP and Thomas. She was the biggest champion of their education and the  cheerleader in their lives.

For the past five years, Tassie has dedicated her time, love, and efforts to her mother Dolores Bennett, caring for her after she experienced a stroke. Tassie’s goal was to ensure that her mom experienced life to the fullest despite her limitations. She regularly brought Dolores to Bogart to spend time with JP and Thomas, her only two great grandchildren. They attended sporting events, birthday parties, school events, and much more. She moved mountains to include Dolores in the family’s annual beach vacation, holiday traditions, reunions, and special events. Tassie often made Dolores work for her fun. She had Dolores stuffing gift bags, Easter Eggs, and holiday stockings for children, friends, and those in need.

Survivors include her husband, Tommy Ruark; children, Erin Porter and her husband Stanton of Bogart, Alicia Ruark of Athens and Alexandra Ruark of Atlanta; grandsons, Stanton “JP” Porter and Thomas Porter; brothers, Mike Bennett of Marietta, Martin Bennett (Irene) of Marietta, and Matt Bennett of Smyrna; sister, Tara Luttrell (Bobby) of Gadsden, AL, honorary son Wesley Luttrell of Bogart, and several nieces and nephews.

Socially distanced memorial services will be Saturday March 20 at 1:30 PM at Athens Church with Dr. Stewart Simms officiating.  Services will be livestreamed via the following link: https://monumentalmedia.com/2021mar20

The family will receive friends at Lord and Stephens, WEST, Watkinsville, Friday March 19 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Global Samaritans at www.globalsamaritans.org or mailed to:

Global Samaritans

6561 Union Point Hwy

Union Point, GA 30669