Marguerite G. Clarkson

Marguerite Trent Gilliam Clarkson, 89, of Newport News, passed away the morning of March 30, 2012 at her Newport News home.
She was the loving wife of Frank Walton Clarkson for 64 years until his death on March 26, 2008 at the age of 88.

Born near Pamplin, Virginia, June 4, 1922, she was the youngest child of the late John Aubrey and Lona Reynolds Gilliam. Marguerite received her early education at Darlington Heights School. She excelled in Math and English and was quite a poet. She and her classmate Vera Copel were unbeatable at basketball.

Marguerite first met Frank at age 16 when her sister and husband Lewis Carwile brought his cousin Frank from Washington, D.C. for a movie date. Frank was so taken with Marguerite that he married her in December, 1943.

Marguerite was a World War II bride with all of its challenges. Then she was a homemaker throughout Frank's long U.S. Government career first at the Naval Torpedo Station in Alexandria, VA, the Washington Navy Yard, the Central Intelligence Agency and finally at Naval Weapons Station at Yorktown, VA. She excelled at the mother role with children Betty Sue, Dennis Gene and Timothy Dean. She was an excellent cook, gardener and bookkeeper.

She is survived by her daughter, Betty Sue Clarkson of Appomattox, Rev. Dennis Gene Clarkson of Newport News, her granddaughter, Jennifer Ann Clarkson, daughter-in-law, Norah Clarkson both of Buena Vista.

She was predeceased by her beloved son, Timothy Dean Clarkson; sisters, Gladys Carwile, Lorene Harris, and Myrtle Carwile; brothers, John Otway Gilliam, Clyde Gilliam, James Gilliam and Robert Gilliam.

Marguerite will be greatly missed by Betty Sue, Dennis, Norah and Jennifer as well as many other family members and friends. Marguerite had a gift for making friends. She took care of Frank day and night at home in the years before his death and he was able to enjoy those years at home. In the same way it was inspirational to witness the care she gave her son, Timothy.

Funeral services will be held at Elon Baptist Church, Pamplin, on Tuesday April 3, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. by the Rev. John Campbell. Burial will follow in Spring Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Robinson Funeral Home from 7-8:30 PM today (Monday). Those wishing to make memorials please consider Elon Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1238, Pamplin, VA 23958.

Robinson Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the family and an online condolence may be sent by visiting www.robinsonfuneral.com.