Cora Lee "Corky" Clevenger

On Feb. 13, 2014 Cora Lee "Corky" Clevenger passed from this life. She was born on Dec. 27, 1932 in Atlanta, TX, to Alline and Lester Van Arsdall. During WWII she moved with her parents and little sister Nora Sue to Galveston, where her father was employed at Todd Shipyards and her mother taught school. They also owned and operated Van's Laundry at the corner of 8th St. and Broadway for many years. Corky graduated from Ball High School in Galveston, then the University of North Texas in Denton with degree in Elementary Education.

Corky taught school in Port Arthur and Galveston, and in 1959 married James "Jim" Clevenger. Following their wedding, Corky and Jim lived for extended periods in Germany and the Caribbean in connection with Jim's job. Upon their return to Texas in 1965, the Clevenger family settled in Seabrook, and Corky began teaching at James F. Bay Elementary. She retired from teaching at Bay in 2002.

Over the years, Corky had three biological children, but became a second mom to many more during her 48-year teaching career. She was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma sorority, Clear Creek Assn. of Retired Teachers and a board member and volunteer of the Friends of the Evelyn Meador Library. She was also an election worker for the city of Seabrook over many years.

Corky was a quiet, positive, kind, caring educator and friend, as well as the best daughter, sister, wife and mother anyone would be blessed to have. She had enormous patience and a smile for all. Once you were her student, she remembered you forever. She was very active in the lives of her grandchildren, and loved them more than words can express.

Corky is preceded in death by her parents, Alline and Lester Van Arsdall, her husband Jim, son-in-law Phillip Bellmore, and niece Ginger Harper. She is survived by her sister, Nora Sue (Ron) Harper of Lucas, TX; daughters Jami (Randy) Sanderson of Pensacola, FL, and Julia Denton Bellmore of Seabrook; her son, Jody (Patti) Clevenger of Seabrook; her grandchildren Amber, Emily, Kaitlyn, Donielle and LeeAnn; niece Emily Wynn and nephew Greg Harper. She is also survived by many lifelong friends who will miss her dearly.

The family offers sincere thanks to everyone who showed Corky love and caring through her illness, as well as those who have valued her friendship through the years. She loved you all. Her quiet, gentle spirit will be sorely missed on this earth, but will shine in heaven evermore.

A service in remembrance of Corky's life will be held on Sat. March 1, 2:00 p.m. at the Seabrook Community House. In lieu of flowers or any other gifts, you may honor Corky's memory by a donation to the Friends of the Evelyn Meador Library, P.O. Box 684, Seabrook, TX 77586, an organization she was most passionate about.