R.C. Shields

Ruebin Clinton “R.C.” Shields, also affectionately known as “Buttermilk”, aged 93 years 5 months, entered peacefully in to rest in the quiet morning hours of Saturday, April 16, 2022, at his home in Sweet Owen, Kentucky. R.C. was born, in Owen County, Kentucky, on November 12, 1928, to Joe Lee and Ethel Mae Shields (Jones). He was raised up the youngest in a sharecropping family, tending to various farms in Owen County, with his elder brother, James (Earline) Shields, and sister, Mary Margaret (Lloyd) Lewis. R.C. believed in the gift and sacrifice of God's only begotten son, Jesus Christ, and felt secured in His promise of everlasting life.

In his teenage years, R.C. began working in the construction trade, apprenticing under his uncle Ruebin Jones, helping to build many homes in Owen County. He was a proud Korean War Veteran, having enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1950, and serving in New Mexico, before being stationed at Bitburg Air Base in Germany, until his honorable discharge in 1954. He fully engaged life during his time in the service, both on and off base, and was always eager to share his captivating stories, photographs, and mementos, with anyone willing to look and listen. After returning stateside, R.C. resumed work in the construction trade, using his hands and skill to help expand the Covington/Cincinnati area. Always a small town boy at heart, he soon found his way back home to Owen County, and began working as a mechanic at the Ashland and then Shell service stations. It was while working on the courthouse square that his (late) dearest friend and brother, Bill Leep, decided it was due time R.C. settled down (and to whom), and “got him married off” to Miss Lois Jane Howell. R.C. and Lois were married on July 9, 1968, at Gratz Baptist Church, and soon built their home on her generational family farm in Sweet Owen. R.C. became very close with his adoptive father, Leo (Geneva) Howell, and was a devoted son and farmhand for many years. He also formed a tight bond with his (surviving) neighbor, and friend, Shirley Scott. R.C. continued to work full time, and served many a need at NAPA Auto Parts, until the closing of the business. He then became a staple at Payne's Chevrolet, where he faithfully remained until his retirement at nearly 80 years of age (well after the official closing of the business). He formed treasured friendships with James Lester Payne, Julian Keith, Curtis Judy, and Vernon Woods, all of whom he had missed greatly since their passings, and with his remaining friend, Marshall Beverly, whom he enjoyed visiting and reminiscing with only a few weeks ago. During his retirement years, working on cars and trucks and around the home place, making hundreds of vehicle sketches, playing cards, and watching NASCAR and wrestling, were amongst his many interests that he enjoyed having more time for. Of all his life experiences and roles, nothing compared to being Papaw to the light of his life, Alex, and then becoming “Pawpaw Buttermilk” to her daughter, Bella Jane. They brought such immeasurable joy and life to his golden years. From growing up working dirt he knew he'd never have the chance to call his own, to turning wrenches for the dirt track and tearing up every hill and holler he could find, to proudly serving his country, to his eclectic style of reinventing automobiles, to his working tirelessly, sacrificing unselfishly, and loving unconditionally as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather... his was a life well lived, and he is a man well remembered.

R.C. is survived by his beloved and faithful wife, of 53 years 9 months, Lois Jane Shields. He is also survived by his children: his eldest son, Jeffery Scott Shields; his grandsons, Christopher Lee Shields, Justin Scott Shields, and Joshua Scott Shields; and his great-granddaughter, Hailey Shields; all of Florida; his middle son, Barry Douglas Shields, of Sweet Owen; and his youngest son, Kevin Lee “Ed” (Angela) Shields; granddaughter, Alexandria Marie Miller; and great-granddaughter, Bella Jane Lemons; all of Sweet Owen. R.C. is also survived by his cousins-in-marriage and long-time friends: Lendyn “Woog” Webster, Jane Ann Clifton, and Daryl Gay; all of Grant County. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and granddaughter: Rebecca Jean Shields.

McDonald & New Funeral Homes are in charge of arrangements. Family and friends will be received at the Seminary Street location on Friday, April 22, 2022, 11:00am – 1:00pm, with funeral service being held at 1:00 pm. Burial will be in the Shields' Family Cemetery. Meal and fellowship, at the Odd Fellows Lodge, will follow.