Elsie Dale Clements

Elsie Dale Clements, beloved mother and grandmother, died with family by her side in Lenoir on January 8, 2018 after a period of declining health.

The daughter of Charles Aaron Dale and Jettie Mae Buff Dale, she was born on November 24, 1932 in Morganton, NC. Elsie lived in Hildebran, NC for more than 60 years, and enjoyed music, gardening, painting and spending time with her family.

Elsie was devoted to her family and expressed her love for each person through countless acts of service. She enjoyed gathering her family and dear friends together for holidays, picnics and camping trips. She was a passionate traveler, but always said the local mountains were her favorite place.

Family who will cherish her memory include daughters Gail Clements Williamson of Valdese and Pamela Clements Goodnight of Lincolnton (husband Tommy); grandchildren Emily Williamson Gangi of Durham (husband Gregory), Lauren Williamson Huffman of Valdese (husband Brett), Sam Goodnight of Charlotte and Abbie Goodnight of Lincolnton; great-grandchildren Claire Huffman and Hayes Huffman of Valdese; brothers Ralph Dale (wife Pauline) and Stuart Dale of Morganton and Earle Dale (wife Linda) of Union Mills; sister Wanda Dale Henries (husband Ron) of Deep Gap; and many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Otis Clements, and brother, Allen Dale.

Elsie earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Lenoir-Rhyne University and retired as deputy clerk from the Town of Hildebran. She taught piano lessons for many years and shared her love of music with a host of students. She served as the pianist for Hildebran United Methodist Church for more than 30 years as a volunteer, where she was also a faithful member.

She instilled her Christian faith and heart for public service in each of her children and grandchildren, who would often hear others recount her acts of kindness from their memories of the Oak Ridge Grill that she owned and operated with her late husband. She was active in the Burke County Genealogical Society and praised by many family historians for documenting persons buried in all the cemeteries of Burke County. She traced her own family’s lineage to the 18^th century and patriots in the American Revolution.

The family will receive friends at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Sossoman Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. in the Colonial Chapel of SossomanSS Funeral Home with Rev. Paul B. Thompson officiating. A private graveside service will follow.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090. The family expresses their sincere gratitude to the staff of Shaire Center, who cared for Elsie with kindness and friendship in the last four years of her life.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with arrangements.