Florence Clarke
Age - 89
November 22, 2023
Florence "Flo" Edwards Clarke, 89, went to be with her Lord and family on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. She loved her Lord and served him faithfully from early childhood throughout her journey of life. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and wife of Rev. Robert Clarke who served thirty-five years of ministry in the Holston Methodist Conference. Flo graduated from Hiwassee College, earned a Bachelor of Arts and a BS degree from Tennessee Wesleyan College and master's degree from Candler Emory Atlanta. She served two years as Church and community (rural worker) under the Board of Missions, United Methodist Church in Big Stone Gap District. She was the District Lay Leader Abingdon District, three years; two years she was Director Youth Worker at the Decatur United Methodist Church, Decatur, GA, one year as Director of Christian Education First United Methodist which later became United with Broad Street to from the First Broad Street United Methodist Church of Kingsport, TN. Having completed studies at Radford, ETSU, and UVA in Public school education. She earned certification to teach grades K-12 and spent twenty-five years teaching in various schools of Carrol, Giles, and Smyth counties of Virginia, retiring from Smyth County. Her hobbies were reading, helping others, and loving them. She is preceded by her husband, Rev. Robert Clarke; son, Steve Clarke, daughter Robin Jaylyn Clarke Freeman; parents, James M. and Pearl Edwards of Erwin, TN; five brothers, Estel, Stanley, Roy Lee, Dale, and Clifford; and sister, Barbara Love and Mildred Rogers; infant great grandson, Bentley Peeples. Survivors include her grandson, Wesley Clarke and wife Melissa of Bristol, Va. ; three granddaughters, Kristen Freeman (Ben), Danielle Perry (Ben), Carrie Boone; three great-granddaughters, Lexie, Andie Rhea, Gabby, Kobie, and Callie Joe; two great-grandsons, Hendrixx and Charlie; two sisters, Madell Bunch and Priscilla Cooper; two brothers-in-law; special friends, Leila Poe and Cynthia Robinson; and several nephews and nieces also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 PM Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, at Williams Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Holston Conference Cemetery in Emory Va. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 PM Sunday prior to the funeral service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to St. Jude's 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Valley Heath and Rehab and Home Health of Chilhowie. Condolences can be made online at www. wfhchilhowie. com. Williams Funeral Home is serving the Clarke Family.Show more
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