Ann Hale Clarke

CLARKE, Ann Thornton Hale, 85, of Bon Air, Va., passed to the arms of the Lord on Monday, February 14, 2011. Born in Rutledge, Ga., she was the daughter of the late Rev. Alton Lee Hale, Methodist minister, North Georgia Conference and former pastor of Peachtree Road Methodist Church, and Mattie Armor Hale. Ann attended LaGrange College in Georgia and Birmingham Southern College. After serving as employee of the Virginia State Senate, and gaining professional relationships with some of its members, she was appointed as the first administrative secretary to the first Director of the Science Museum of Virginia, Dr. Paul Knappenberger, during the museum's formative years. Ann's experience as State Senate employee served as valuable assistance to the Museum Director in navigating myriad state bureaucratic intricacies. She became a lifetime honorary member of the Science Museum upon her retirement. Ann was a long-time member of Bon Air United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her son, Richard Baird Clarke. Survivors include her husband, Wilbern Rucker Clarke; daughter, Ann Armor Clarke; son, Edward Spencer Lee Clarke; sister, Mattie Lee Hale Brown of Georgia; grandson, Robert Spencer Clarke of Texas; granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Terrell of Georgia; and great-granddaughter, Alyssa Bailey Clarke of Texas.

Her remains rest at the Huguenot Chapel of Woody Funeral Home, 1020 Huguenot Rd., where the family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday at Bon Air United Methodist Church, 1645 Buford Rd. Ann will be remembered as a loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, and a joyous spirit. Online condolences to woodyfuneralhome.com.