Betty Fowler Clemons

Betty Carolyn Fowler Clemons, 81 years old, started singing in heaven right after midnight on August 15, 2025. She was born on May 1, 1944, in Sarasota, Florida, while her father was stationed there to her parents, Effie Harris Fowler and J.C. Fowler. They did not live there long until they moved back to her mother's hometown of Gadsden, Alabama, next door to the original Granny on Bomar Street. Her Granny was her maternal grandmother and helped her mother with the raising of her two sisters, Janice and Frances. Shortly after the birth of her youngest sister, her father, J.C., died of infection after appendicitis. Her mother was left a widow with three young girls. There were several rough years, and they made it with Granny's help until her mother chose to marry W. D. Wofford. He quickly became Daddy to the girls, and several years later, they were blessed with their baby brother, Robert. Her mother and new Daddy were able to obtain good jobs, so their financial struggle finally came to an end. Her mother worked at Colonial Grocery Store, and her dad was a City of Gadsden policeman. They both worked second shift, and Betty took care of her sisters and baby brother. She cooked supper every night, and taking care of people became her way of life as a young preteen. She was introduced to Jesus by her Granny, and she heard the Lord call her name when she was attending church with her Granny. This began her faithful walk with the Lord, which she never wavered from her whole life. She met the love of her life at Gulf Steel Junior High School, Gordon "Buddy" Clemons. They decided to get married in the summer after their junior year of high school and keep it a secret their whole senior year. They traveled to Buchanan, Georgia, on June 4, 1961, with their friends Glenda and Jerry Blair, and got married. Needless to say, their secret didn't last that long! Her lifelong mission of making a home for her own family began. Betty continued her education in her senior year after her marriage. She finished her high school education after she welcomed her oldest son, Neil, on March 24, 1962. It was evident that being a mother was one of her biggest joys in life. Two years later, she welcomed her second son, Mark, on August 31, 1964. She had always asked the Lord to give her two sons and one daughter in that order, and the Lord answered her prayers with the birth of her daughter, Lynn, on July 4, 1970. Serving her family was her calling, and she answered it every single day by making her family feel special with every meal and hug that she gifted. All of her tasks for her family were done with a song and a smile. She was the epitome of grace in action every single day of her life. Her husband and children were loved and cherished by her completely. Never did any of them want for affection and love. With the birth of her first grandchild in February of 1984, she became Granny in honor of her grandmother, whom she loved so dearly. Being a Granny was truly a gift to her, and she cherished all of her grandchildren. She was a hands-on Granny and kept all her grandchildren while her children worked. She had a gift to make everyone feel special, and she lavished that gift on her children and grandchildren. She walked out the gospel of Jesus Christ every single day of her life as she cared for her family. She shared Jesus with all of her children and grandchildren just like her Granny had done with her and took them to church with her at Ford's Valley Baptist Church, where she was a member from 1974 until the day she started singing in heaven.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Clemons, of 64 years, by only 33 days. He was her greatest calling in life, and she completed her calling by talking to him about Jesus and assuring his salvation shortly before he left this world. She was also preceded in death by her loving parents, Effie and W.D. Wofford, and her baby brother, Robert Wofford.
She is survived by her devoted children, Neil (Leslie) Clemons, Mark Clemons, and Lynn (Jay) Watson. Grandchildren: Mallory Wells, Taylor (David) Bailey, Tylynn Register, Houston Clemons, Will(Emma) Clemons, Andrew(Ashley) Doster, and Wyatt (Lexie) Watson. Great grandchildren: Leila Baldwin, Addyson Clemons, Mylee Clemons, Ashton Doster, Camden Simmons, Caeden Simmons, Brylee Kate Wells. Sisters: Frances Hammonds and Janice Gibbs. Sister-in-laws : Jamie Clemons and Nancy Odell. Nieces and nephews: Scott Carter, Steven Carter, Stacey Kimmons, Cindy Marrs, Rachel Horton, Mandi Wofford, Jason Gibbs, Gwen Gardner, Byram Hammonds, Todd Hammonds, and Wayne Hammonds.
Special thanks to the whole staff of ACG Hospice and her special care team: Amy Clough, Jay Beggs, Susan McCarley.
Her special caretakers: Dell Jackson, Deborah Pledger, Mary Humphrey, Michelle Medley.
Services will be on Monday, August 18th, at Fords Valley Baptist Church, with visitation starting at 9 a.m. for the family, and the family will receive friends at 9:30 a.m. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. following visitation. A graveside service will follow at her home, where her body will be laid to rest next to her husband.
There are not adequate words to describe her and her spirit. She welcomed everyone with a smile and a hug, and you felt as though you could take a deep breath in her presence; completely relax, be yourself, be truthful, and still be loved. She was the representative on Earth for unconditional love. If you were loved by her, you know. She will live on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We will always remember her hugs and kisses and her telling us frequently, "I love you, you are precious to me."