Betty Therrell Clarke

Betty Therrell Clarke, 96, passed away peacefully June 10, 2024. She was born in Florence, MS on October 15, 1927. She graduated from Florence High School and attended Hinds Junior College in Raymond, MS. A member of Christ Methodist Church since 1967, she was a loyal attendee and piano player for the J.T. Griffin Bible Class and The Christian Homebuilders Sunday School Class. She was a long time member of JOY (Just Older Youth) and loved singing in the JOY choir. She was a dedicated volunteer at St. Dominic’s Hospital for over 20 years with 5000+ hours of volunteer service.

Betty had the ultimate servant’s heart and always put others before herself. She never hesitated to help someone in need. She was well known for freely sharing her famous chocolate chip cookies with family, friends, teachers, and coaches. She would leave bags of goodies on the doors of her friends at Sunnybrook Estates and kept the office and kitchen staff stocked with snacks.

Betty worked for Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company and later taught kindergarten at Briarwood Methodist Church. She ultimately retired from Pearl River Valley Water Supply District in 1987. Her passion after retirement was watching sporting events on TV, particularly Mississippi State football, basketball, and baseball games. Her friends and family knew to never bother her on Saturdays during football season!

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cy; her parents, Tommy and Ruth Therrell; an infant grandson, Grantham Pierce Clarke; five sisters – Pauline Lusk, M.E. Smith, Virginia Thomason, Tommie Morris, and Peggy Simmons; and her only brother, Bradford Therrell.

She is survived by her children Donna Allen (Lance) of Madison, Harry Clarke (Ann) of Hoover, AL, and Cy Clarke (Alison) of Lexington, KY; grandchildren Courtney Canterbury (Caleb), Thomas Allen (Grace), Cy Clarke, Jr. (Allison), Frances Clarke, Harrison Clarke and Bennett Clarke; great granddaughter Emery Clarke; as well as numerous nieces and nephews who affectionately referred to her as Aunt Bettybird.

Because of her love for children, and to honor her request, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to Children’s of Mississippi (Batson Children’s Hospital).

A graveside service for Betty will be held Friday, June 14, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Florence Cemetery, 280 S Church St, Florence, MS 39073. Following the graveside service will be a visitation from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Home & Parkway Memorial Cemetery, 1161 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157.