Nell Clarke

CAIRO, Ill. -- Nell Hermene Baur Clarke, longtime resident of Cairo, on Friday, March 27, 2015, quietly and peacefully slipped the bonds of her earthly world and made her journey to heaven.

There, she reunites with her loving mother and father, her two brothers and sisters and many close friends that had preceded her in death.

Mrs. Clarke's time with this world was long and her blessings were great; she was 103. Her passing was comforted by the presence of her children and grandchildren that had come to her side to reaffirm their love and appreciation for their mother and granny. While saddened that her physical presence is no longer and that there will be no new experiences, they rejoice in the celebration of her fruitful and sweet life, and will be comforted by the memory of the many happy and loving experiences she provided them.

Mrs. Clarke was born on Feb. 19 1912, in Taylor, Texas, to Paul and Henrietta Baur and was the third of four children.

Her father and mother were originally from Cairo and Charleston, Missouri, and moved their family back to Cairo when she was 5. She remained there the rest of her life.

After graduating from Cairo High School, Hermene taught kindergarten for a period of time and then attended Maryville University in St. Louis for two years before completing her bachelor's degree in business at the University of Texas, Austin. Following graduation from UT, Mrs. Clarke moved back to Cairo to be with her family and worked with her father for a few years in the insurance business.

At the beginning of World War II, she began a long career in teaching, which became her life's passion. Mrs. Clarke taught English and grammar in Cairo public schools until 1967, and then for Camelot for her last three years before retiring. The concern she had for her students and the lessons she imparted on them made a lasting impact. When she celebrated her 100th birthday three years previously, over one hundred of her past students attended the party celebration held at the Elks club to honor their former teacher and mentor. She is fondly remembered and loved by students who can still to this day recite the specific grammar rules she taught. Many of her students recall the Jergen's Hand Cream practical joke they played on her, and she had forgiven them all.

During her life, Mrs. Clarke was involved in community and school activities too numerous to count, and she was a benefactor to numerous charitable organizations around the country and to children in third-world countries. Up to the very end, she was interested and well-informed in national affairs and current events, politically involved and would be pleased to be remembered as a "good Republican." She had recently expressed a regret that she didn't think she would live long enough to vote against Hillary in 2016. She lives on through the memories of her children, grandchildren and many friends and will not be forgotten. There is much cause to celebrate her life.

Hermene Clarke's life on earth is now over, but she lived it well and made a positive impact on the many lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul H, and Henrietta Baur of Cairo, Dr. Paul Schuch Baur, Constance Baur and Ogden Baur.

Mrs. Clarke is survived by her sons, John Earl Clarke of Houston and Dr. Paul William Clarke of Cape Girardeau; five grandchildren, Douglas Clarke, Lesley Anne Gorman, Kimberly Clarke, Brian Clarke and David Clarke; and two great-grandsons, Jonah and Asher Gorman.

Family and friends may gather from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Crain Funeral Home in Cairo.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Cairo City Cemetery in Villa Ridge, Illinois.

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