CHARLESTON — Karen Lee Clements was born on Dec. 25, 1944 in Florence, Arizona. She entered the glory of her Lord on Thursday, March 5.
Funeral services were 5 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at First Baptist Church in Charleston. Interment followed Monday, March 9, in Limestone Memorial Gardens in Athens, Ala.
She was the daughter of Benjamin Lee Ireland, and Teresa Mae-Akers Ireland of Coolidge, Ariz. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Silas Stuart Clements, and her parents.
She is survived by her brothers, Sidney Ireland and wife Sandi, of Shreveport, La., Stanley Ireland of Madera, Calif.; three children, Michael Clements and wife Deborah of Durant, Okla., Suzette Little and husband Hamp of Charleston and Michele Stover and husband Charles, of Heafer, Ark. She also leaves 9 grandchildren, Laura Little and Leah Hollingsworth, of Charleston, Andrew Kappenman and Nathan Little of Cleveland, Charles Silas Stover, of St. Louis, Mo., Christopher Stover of Wynne, Ark., Benjamin Stover of Weiner, Ark., Aaron Rains and Kyle Clements, both of Durant, Okla. and 20 great-grandchildren.
Karen was a devoted wife and mother who loved her family and faithfully served her Lord. She met Silas at church when he was a young Airman stationed in Madera, Calif. The couple married and for the next 23 years they built their family and their life together. The Air Force moved the family several times around the United States and even one trip to Great Britain. Each time the family found itself in a new town Karen made sure they found a church in which to serve.
As a young Air Force wife and mother stationed in Ogden, Utah, Karen decided to go back to school. She became a dental hygienist and assistant.
An accomplished musician, Karen played piano and sang in the choirs of each church they attended. She was also an active member of each community volunteering with the American Cancer Society, the Tallahatchie General Hospital and ECF Auxiliary, the Baptist Women’s Mission Union, community choirs, teaching Sunday school, and lending her musical talents for various community events.
While stationed in England, her husband Silas surrendered to a call to full-time ministry and shortly after his retirement from the Air Force in 1985 she became a pastor’s wife. The couple served churches in Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama. Remaining true to her convictions, Karen supported Silas in his ministry earning the respect and love of people in each community they served.
When Silas passed away in 1996, Karen continued serving the church, eventually returning to Charleston where she became the choir director for First Baptist Church. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, Karen continued to serve God with her musical talent and by sharing her faith with everyone she met.
Karen enjoyed worshipping with her church family, reading, music, spending time with her family and friends and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She dedicated her life to serving the Lord and drew great pleasure from the fact that they are all being raised in Christian homes.
Online condolences may be made at www.newsomfuneralhome.com.
