Mary Ann Clarke

Mary Ann Williams Clarke Born January 2, 1932 – Axson, Georgia Mary Ann Williams Clarke was born on January 2, 1932, in Axson, Georgia, to Jesse Green Williams and Bertie Cole Williams. Sadly, her mother passed away just a few weeks after her birth, leaving Jesse to raise four young children: Bernice, Jesse Gray, Byron, and Mary Ann. A few years later, Jesse married Irene Porter, and together they added two more sons, Jackie and Ronald, to the family. Mary Ann grew up on her family's 240-acre farm, where she attended a country school and the "Little Utah" country church. Surrounded by her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, she developed a deep love for family and faith. She also discovered her gift for music at a young age. With her brother Byron, she often sang in church, and as a teenager, she performed with two friends as "The Harmonettes" on a weekly Southern TV show. At age 15, Mary Ann moved to Idaho and Utah to live with relatives and complete high school. There, she met her future husband, Hal, in Tremonton, Utah. While Hal served a mission, she worked in Atlanta, Georgia, before serving her own mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern States. After returning, Hal visited her in Georgia, where he proposed. They were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on October 7, 1952. Mary Ann and Hal were blessed with eight children: Rebecka, Deborah, twins Craig and Cole, Joseph, Jennifer, Calvin, and Jesse. Together, they built their lives across Idaho, California, Georgia, Arizona, and Utah. A profound trial came with the loss of their daughter Debora at age nine, but their faith and family carried them through. Their later years in Provo, Utah, were filled with friendships, service, and joy. Mary Ann and Hal served a mission in Birmingham, Alabama, and later a service mission with Church social services. Mary Ann was known for her beautiful singing voice, her love of music, and her many talents. She was a skilled seamstress, an excellent homemaker, and creative in design, painting, and needlework. Her home was always welcoming, warm, and filled with love. After 72 years of marriage, Mary Ann deeply missed Hal following his passing. Her family is grateful for the compassionate care she received from Dignity Hospice and the friendships she made at Covington Senior Living, where she enjoyed returning to church and singing once again. Mary Ann is reunited with her beloved Hal, her parents, her siblings (except Jackie), her grandson Deven Fore, and son-in-law Paul Fore. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and music that her family will always cherish. Her family lovingly says, "We love you, Mom. Till we meet again."