Helen Marie Clarke

Age 84, of West Carrollton, passed away Sunday in Cape Carteret, North Carolina. Born June 24, 1930 in Preston, Kentucky, she grew up in Owingsville (Bath County), Kentucky, a place she always referred to as "home", although she lived in the Dayton area since her marriage to husband Jack V. Clarke in 1950. They lived in Miami Township and West Carrollton where they raised three children. Helen was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, and friend. She was a member of the Moraine First Church of God and was active in their Women's Church Group, where she served as treasurer for many years and took pride in sending flowers to ailing or grieving parishioners and their families. She was a devoted fan of University of Kentucky basketball, the Cincinnati Reds, and always wanted to watch a "good western". She was preceded in death by her father, Ernie Downs Sr., mother Alma (Sorrell) Downs, brother Ernie "Pug" Downs, and her beloved husband Jack (d.1987). She will be deeply missed by her surviving children: Timothy Clarke, Teresa (Paul) Grubich, and John (India) Clarke; grandchildren: Jordan Grubich, Taylor (Erin) Clarke, Chelsea Clarke, and Caroline Clarke; brother: Charles Downs; sisters: Nancy "Sis" Staton and Freda (Alex) Elam; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 6 p.m. at the Moraine City First Church of God, 5867 Springboro Pike, with Pastor Russell Hays officiating. A visitation will be held at the church from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., prior to the service. On Friday, January 23, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., the family will receive friends at Richardson Funeral Home, 121 East Main Street, Owingsville, Kentucky with a graveside service following at Owingsville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made, in Helen Clarke's memory, to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15120, Chicago, Illinois 60693.

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