Clarissa Virginia Stemple

1931 - 2026

Clarissa VanMetre Stemple, age 94, passed peacefully, on February 4, 2026, at her home in Lexington, KY.

Clarissa was born August 12, 1931 in Shepherdstown, WV, the daughter of the late William E. VanMetre & C. Ione Moler VanMetre. She grew up in Shepherdstown & graduated with a teaching degree from Shepherd University. Clarissa taught at the high school level in Rising Sun, MD, Aberdeen, MD, & Oxford , PA & was advisor to FBLA. Concurrently, while raising a family, she earned a Masters Equivalent.

After retiring from teaching, Clarissa worked at Aberdeen Proving Ground & Edgewood Arsenal as a library manager & secretary. She was a member & local President of CEOS. She loved gardening, traveling, going to the beach, helping the elderly, & visiting those in need. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren & great-grandchildren.

Clarissa is pre-deceased by her husband, Fred A. Stemple, Jr, & stepson, Donald N. Stemple. She is survived by a brother, Charles W. VanMetre of Hagerstown, MD; children Carol C. Stemple (Cindy Leopard) of Ellicott City, MD, Van A. Stemple (Teresa) of Shepherdstown, WV, Lori Ann Erickson (Christian) of Lexington, KY; six grandchildren, & five great-grandchildren.

Clarissa attended Janes United Methodist Church, Rising Sun, MD, and is a life member of St. Peters Lutheran Church, Shepherdstown, WV.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Peters Lutheran Church, Shepherdstown, WV. A memorial service will be held at a later date.