Obituary of Delores Stafford Clarke

Delores Stafford Clarke, 82, died April 4, 2016, in Hickory, North Carolina, with her daughters at her side. A native of the Sedge Garden community in Forsyth County, she was born August 16, 1933, the only child of Lee Andrew and Allie Beeson Stafford. Delores was the five-year-old mascot of Sedge Garden High School’s class of 1938, and attended Sedge Garden herself for 11 years. During her childhood, her parents housed several teachers of Sedge Garden, who could walk to school from her home. She was in the first graduating class of Glenn High School in 1951. As a freshman at Appalachian State Teachers College (now Appalachian State University), she met her future husband, Carl Lewis Clarke, and married him on September 5, 1952. She retired from Salem Academy and College in 1998 after 34 years and was administrative assistant to six presidents. At the time of her death, she was the second longest-serving member of Sedge Garden United Methodist Church, which she joined 70 years ago on July 22, 1945, as a third generation parishioner of her family. She had participated in the Chancel and Handbell Choirs, administrative board, and various other church committees. She and her husband also volunteered at the Shepherd’s Center of Kernersville. An avid bridge player, Mrs. Clarke enjoyed membership in the same club for over 55 years and continued until shortly before her death. She delighted in gardening and had a formidable green thumb. Mrs. Clarke exhibited her love of cats through the years and offered a home to many, who came running at the sound of her sweet voice. Her love, devotion, and generosity to her family, church, and community were constantly evident. At the age of sixteen, she began a life of caregiving to family members in poor health, beginning with her own mother. She was married for 63 years to Carl Lewis Clarke, who preceded her in death on March 10, 2016. Mrs. Clarke was the mother of two daughters, Laura Ann Clarke and Kim Stafford Clarke, both of Hickory; and grandmother to Barrett Clarke Cauble, of Hickory, and William Luther Cauble IV, of Louisville, Kentucky, to whom she was affectionately known as “Luvy.” She also leaves behind her beloved cat, Little Bit. A service celebrating the life of Delores Clarke will be conducted April 6, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. at Sedge Garden United Methodist Church in Kernersville with the Reverend Dave Cash and the Reverend Karen Smith officiating, followed by a receiving of friends by the family. The interment will be private. The family wishes to thank Delores’ friends, former colleagues, and the Sedge Garden community for the many phone calls, cards, and visits which brought her much comfort after the death of her husband 25 days earlier and during her own final illness. Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Home is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Sedge Garden United Methodist Church, 794 Sedge Garden Road, Kernersville, NC 27284, or Salem Academy and College, 601 S. Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Service Information