Nellie Katherine Clarke

Nellie Katherine Maulden Clarke, 93, of 2122 Glenwood Street, Kannapolis, was granted her angel wings on January 25, 2009 at Olde Knox Commons,Huntersville. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends whom she touched in some special way throughout her memorable life. She was the daughter of the late Gilbert Harrison Maulden and Julia Aranda Whitley Maulden. Nell was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Richard Grey Clarke, Sr.; five sisters, Pearl, Sue, Johnsie, Von and Mary; three brothers, Arthur, Bill and Paul; a half-brother, Grover; and half-sister, Mae. Nell traveled to many cities with her late husband, Grey, who passed away in 1993. He was a former baseball player who played 14 seasons in major league baseball, which included playing for the Chicago White Sox. Nell was a graduate of J.W. Cannon High School, where she was voted the prettiest girl of her class. She worked 47 years for Cannon Mills. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and a faithful member of the Exodus Sunday School Class. Nell had a beautiful smile with a joyous spirit. She never met a stranger, as she loved to talk to everyone. She always giggled and her laughter was indescribable. Her love was always present as she encouraged everyone and gave many compliments. People were fortunate to have known such a loving woman. She encompassed all the warm qualities of the word "mother." She will always be a beautiful memory in our hearts. Nell is survived by a daughter, Julia Clarke Simpson of Mobile, AL; two sons, Richard Grey Clarke, Jr. of Kannapolis and Neil Henry Clarke of Supply; seven grandchildren, Shannon Taylor of Mobile, AL, Heather Jordan of Montgomery, AL, Amanda Hollis of Mobile, AL, Richard Clarke III of Kannapolis, Charissa Clarke of Kannapolis, Allen Clarke of Kannapolis, and Sherrie Carlisle of Green Sea, SC; 11 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. The family would like to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, care and kindness shown to Nellie from the staff at Olde Knox Commons. May God bless all of you. A service honoring God for Nell's joy-filled life will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday, January 28, 2010 at Trinity United Methodist Church. The Rev. Judy White will officiate. Interment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Thursday at Trinity United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 416 East First Street, Kannapolis, NC 28083 or American Cancer Society, 6000 Fairview Road, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28210 or Olde Knox Commons, 13825 Hunton Lane, Huntersville, NC 28078.