Virginia W. Clarkson

FLORENCE - Virginia Wiley Clarkson, 96, died Monday, Feb. 18, 2013, at the Methodist Manor of Florence after an illness.

Mrs. Clarkson was born in Columbia, Tenn., a daughter of the late Fred Everett and Maude Haley Wiley. She spent most of her life in Rock Hill, S.C., and was the widow of William Gordon Clarkson. She worked with the alumni office at Winthrop College for many years.

Mrs. Clarkson was an active member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Rock Hill, where she served as a deacon and in other areas of the church. Her passion was the Daughters of the American Revolution, of which she was a lifetime member and past Regent.

She will be remembered by her many friends and family for her delightfully engaging personality and spirited conversations.

A beloved mother, grandmother and mother-in-law, she is survived by two daughters, Gail C. Jeffords (Van) of Florence, S.C., and Ann C. Silva (Jim) of Benicia, Calif.; a son, Robert M. Clarkson (Bet) of Rock Hill; four grandchildren, Dana J. Eastland (Robbie) of Bluffton, S.C., Evan G. Jeffords (Emily) of Hilton Head, S.C., Michael Branzel (Lindsay) of Oakland, Calif., and Cate Clarkson of Rock Hill; and four great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by a son, William Gordon Clarkson Jr.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, in the Mary Alice Ingram Chapel of the Methodist Manor of Florence. Interment will be 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Grandview Memorial Park in Rock Hill.

Waters-Powell Funeral Home of Florence is assisting the family of Mrs. Clarkson.

Memorials may be made to the Methodist Manor of the Pee Dee, 2100 Twin Church Rd., Florence, SC 29501.