Geraldine “Gerry” Owens Clemmons, 86, slipped the bonds of mortal life in the early hours of Saturday, February 20, 2021, at Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital following a short but brave battle with COVID-19. Gerry, widow of her beloved husband of 63 years, Carl Lee Clemmons, bid farewell, ‘until we meet again’, to her daughter, Kayla ‘Kay’ (Richard) Callihan and son, Alan (Laura) Clemmons; grandchildren Shawn (Michelle), Stacy (C.J.), Alayne (Jacob) and Kelly (Richard); nine great grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jean, Jimmy, Helen and David; special nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Gerry was born in Durham County, North Carolina, and was raised in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina home of her beloved parents, Theodore Roosevelt ‘T.R.’ and Pauline Beatrice Miller Owens. She met her first and only love, Carl, when they were both employed at Mack's 5¢ and 10¢ Store in Myrtle Beach; Gerry was a clerk there and Carl was the Assistant Manager. Following a brief courtship, Gerry and Carl were joined in matrimony on April 15, 1952, and were later sealed to each other as eternal companions in the Logan, Utah, Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During the first years of their marriage, Gerry accompanied and supported Carl, as he served his nation in the United States Air Force. The newlyweds made their home, first in California (Travis AFB) and then Kansas (Smoky Hill AFB). Upon their return home to Myrtle Beach after Carl’s honorable completion of his military service, she was employed as a secretary at South Carolina National Bank, where she worked, and made many dear lifelong friends, until 1965 when Gerry and Carl commenced their decade-long operation of the Clemmons family business, the Clem-n-tine Motel. Gerry has been a life-long faithful and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she joyed in serving others over many years in the children’s and young women’s programs and the ladies service organization, the Relief Society, in various roles including the leadership of each. Upon retirement, Gerry and Carl served together as Church Service Missionaries and assisted in the founding of the Conway Branch of the Church. They also served together as Temple Ordinance Workers in the Atlanta, Georgia Temple. She cherished the Gospel of Jesus Christ and her relationship with the Lord.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, February 25, 2021. For protection of the health of family and friends, Gerry’s family encourages participation in the service via live-stream on YouTube.com at the “Surfside Beach Ward” channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuuAcMUim7G0ONZWTXJNf7Q Alternately, personal participation is also available at the Myrtle Beach Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 1392 48th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach, where masks and social distancing will be observed. Burial will follow the funeral at Ocean Woods Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests an honorarium in Mrs. Clemmons honor to her favorite charity, established by her son, to fight anti-Semitism and reinforce America’s relationship with Israel: American Patriots For Israel, 5614 Connecticut Avenue NW #223, Washington DC 20015-2604.
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