Virginia Evelyn Clarke

died May 9, 2026 at Grand Junction, Colorado. She was 102 years old.

Born in Annona, Texas in 1924. Her mother was Fannie Herron & father was George W. Mitchell.

Married Grafton Clarke in Clovis, NM in 1947.

She went to several schools in East Texas: Burkham Prairie, south of Clarksville, Oakridge School near Avery TX. She graduated from High School in Clovis, NM in about 1942.

She worked for Santa Fe Railroad as dispatcher.

Evelyn worked at Williams Trading Post, Red River, NM in the summers in the sporting goods section.

In 1970 she was a ski instructor part time at Powderpuff Ski Area in Red River. She & Grafton moved permanently to Red River in about 1986. She then became a ski instructor for Red River Ski Area.

She was one of the BEST trout fishers in New Mexico & Colorado, per her fish stories.

She was pre-deceased by her husband Grafton; 2 sons, Russell Clarke and Randol Clarke. Survived by 2 daughters, 5 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren. Her people are scattered from Texas to Nevada & in a submarine somewhere.

Memorial service will hopefully be in June at Rivera Funeral Home in Santa Fe, NM & burial will be at Santa Fe National Cemetary with her husband.

Thank you to Red Cliff Acute Care & their wonderful people, especially Rosie the activities director, for caring for her the last 3 months.