Obituary for Arletha Clough
On Saturday, April 9, 1932, a beautiful bundle of joy was the second daughter and fifth child born to Arthur and Annie Mae Washington Parrish.
She was raised in a Christian home and at an early age committed her life to Christ uniting with the Zion UMC beginning her walk with God. She also attended and worked in the Greenhill Baptist Church #1.
She was educated in the Marshall Public Schools and graduated from H.B. Pemberton H.S. in 1951. Her compassion and love for people led her to seek a career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. She graduated from the Oscar B. Jones School of Nursing ( Panola College ) in 1970.
Arletha met the love of her life and on October 25, 1955 she united in marriage to Edward Clough, Jr. Together they nurtured and reared six adorable and loving children until Edward’s death on May 31, 1968.
She spent her life as a dedicated medical professional for 42 years retiring from Marshall Memorial Hospital in October 1997.
While some retirees spend their time on the golf course or playing cards or joining quilting circles, Arletha spent her golden years serving in the church community. She had a joyous passion for the church – singing in the choir, serving as church secretary and treasurer, organizing ministry programs, working outreach programs, gathering and transporting youth to church camp. Her passion and energy were so robust and resilient that her grandchildren dubbed her a “hustler for the Lord.” Arletha had a servant’s heart and lived by 1 Peter 4:10: “Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
Arletha was a keeper of things. She especially loved keeping her family close and making memories. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was happiest when surrounded by her large brood at family gatherings where everyone feasted on her delicious cooking, especially her signature cakes and pies.
In the comfort of her home surrounded by loving family, Arletha stepped into eternity Monday, November 1, 2021.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brothers; Louis, Joseph, Curtis and Arthur, Jr.; daughter and son-in-law, Esther and Myron Wilson; two granddaughters, Baby Courtney Gaut and B’Neta Wilson.
She leaves a legacy of love to her son, Estress (Mishelle) Williams; daughters, Sythia (Willie) Gaut, Pheobia (Mark) Allen, Rev. Rosalyn Clough-Hilburn, and Arleater (Barrie) Forest; 16 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren; sisters, Lillie B. Donald, Lula M. Scott and Verneva Duty; God-daughters, Marva Polk, Diane Darty and Myra Brown, along with many very close relatives, friends and a community that loved her.
She was raised in a Christian home and at an early age committed her life to Christ uniting with the Zion UMC beginning her walk with God. She also attended and worked in the Greenhill Baptist Church #1.
She was educated in the Marshall Public Schools and graduated from H.B. Pemberton H.S. in 1951. Her compassion and love for people led her to seek a career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. She graduated from the Oscar B. Jones School of Nursing ( Panola College ) in 1970.
Arletha met the love of her life and on October 25, 1955 she united in marriage to Edward Clough, Jr. Together they nurtured and reared six adorable and loving children until Edward’s death on May 31, 1968.
She spent her life as a dedicated medical professional for 42 years retiring from Marshall Memorial Hospital in October 1997.
While some retirees spend their time on the golf course or playing cards or joining quilting circles, Arletha spent her golden years serving in the church community. She had a joyous passion for the church – singing in the choir, serving as church secretary and treasurer, organizing ministry programs, working outreach programs, gathering and transporting youth to church camp. Her passion and energy were so robust and resilient that her grandchildren dubbed her a “hustler for the Lord.” Arletha had a servant’s heart and lived by 1 Peter 4:10: “Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
Arletha was a keeper of things. She especially loved keeping her family close and making memories. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was happiest when surrounded by her large brood at family gatherings where everyone feasted on her delicious cooking, especially her signature cakes and pies.
In the comfort of her home surrounded by loving family, Arletha stepped into eternity Monday, November 1, 2021.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brothers; Louis, Joseph, Curtis and Arthur, Jr.; daughter and son-in-law, Esther and Myron Wilson; two granddaughters, Baby Courtney Gaut and B’Neta Wilson.
She leaves a legacy of love to her son, Estress (Mishelle) Williams; daughters, Sythia (Willie) Gaut, Pheobia (Mark) Allen, Rev. Rosalyn Clough-Hilburn, and Arleater (Barrie) Forest; 16 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren; sisters, Lillie B. Donald, Lula M. Scott and Verneva Duty; God-daughters, Marva Polk, Diane Darty and Myra Brown, along with many very close relatives, friends and a community that loved her.