Georgie Lilian O'Brien Clements

Georgie Lilian O'Brien Clements, 103, of Monahans, passed away on January 2, 2016. Georgie was born November 25, 1912 in Dimmitt, Texas to George Washington and Genevra O'Brien. She was the eighth of 10 children of a pioneer ranching family in Ward and Winkler Counties, and was actively involved in ranching for her entire life; riding, roping, branding, and later managing her own ranch. Georgie rode horseback to school in Pyote until sixth grade, when the O'Briens moved to Alpine so that her older sisters could attend Sul Ross University. Before her senior year of high school, the family moved back the O'Brien ranch (which spanned from Wickett to Wink), and Georgie moved in with older sister Velma in Brownfield to finish high school. She graduated Brownfield High School in 1929. In 1930, Georgie was crowned the first Miss Monahans - in a "pageant" that included barrel racing. In the following years, she attended Texas Technical College, now known as Texas Tech University, and the University of Southern California. In 1934, Red Bluff Damn was under construction, and a town and a school sprang up around the construction site. Georgie started her teaching career in Red Bluff in 1934. She married the love of her life, Harrison "Ducky" Clements, on July 5, 1937 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. They met in Monahans at the Corner Drug Store located at the intersection of Second Street and Main, where Ducky worked. According to Georgie, Ducky Clements enjoyed a good brawl, and her terms for a date were that he quit fighting. Ducky quit fighting. They were married 51 years. A blessing fell into their arms by the form of a daughter, Jeanie. Georgie forged her own path in life by being one of the first bilingual teachers at Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD. Acknowledging her accomplishments within the school district, as in forming the first Spanish PTA, the school district honored her by building a new campus and renaming the old East Ward School to Clements Pope Elementary. For most of her career, Georgie taught second grade, often teaching the majority of Hispanic students because of her fluency in both English and Spanish. She retired after teaching for 28 years. Georgie enjoyed the ranch life, traveling, volunteering in the community, and china painting. A few years after her retirement, the first granddaughter was born and bore the name Georgia. The following year, the second granddaughter, Lisa was born. The family of five (Georgie, Ducky, daughter Jeanie, and grandchildren Georgia and Lisa) often traveled together, and one of their favorite trips was with the Texas Cattleman's Association to Europe. Georgie and Ducky spent many wonderful years traveling the world, and a few of her favorite memories were walking the same path Jesus walked in Jerusalem, and riding a camel to the pyramids in Egypt. Starting in 1972, she and Ducky began spending every summer in Vallecito Lake, Colorado with the whole family, and spent many months traveling in their Airstream travel trailer. Georgie lived on her 12,000 acre working cattle ranch in the house she and her husband built 67 years ago. Georgie was actively involved in the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ for 79 years, Christian Women's Fellowship, a member of the Rainbow Girls, and joined the Eastern Stars of Texas at the age of 21. In 1967-68, she was Worthy Matron of the Monahans Chapter of the Eastern Stars, and was later a member of the Past Matrons Club. She was a member of the organization for 82 years. The Eastern Stars are the women's auxiliary of the Masons. Georgie was also a member of the Retired Teachers of Texas Association for 52 years, Past President of the Professional Business Women's Club, Past President of the Wednesday Study Club, one of the original members and Past President of Tau Lambda Club, and received many accolades throughout her life. Georgie was preceded in death by her husband, H.A. Clements. She is survived by her daughter, Jeanie Clements Clopton; her granddaughters, Georgia Sutton Mitchell and Lisa Sutton Housman, two grandsons-in-law, Skeet Mitchell and Josh Housman, and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 9, 2015 at the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Monahans at 3:30 p.m., with Rev. Gene Brown officiating. Harkey Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit www.harkeyfunerals.com to leave online condolences.