Remembering Sara Clem
Sara Angela Best Clem, age 89, passed away peacefully walking into the arms of Jesus, at Ridgeview Nursing Home in Jasper, Alabama on August 25, 2024.
Visitation will be held at Kilgore-Green Funeral Home at 1200 Birmingham Avenue, Jasper, AL 35501, on Thursday, August 29, 2024, from 10 until 11:30 a.m. Funeral service will follow in the Kilgore-Green Chapel at 11:30 a.m., with burial at Walker Memory Gardens - 692 Alabama 5 Jasper, Alabama 35503. Pastor Andy Frazier will officiate.
Sara was preceded in death by her mother Zora Daphne Jones Best, her father Lacy Harper Best, her brother John L. Best, her brother Jack H. Best, and by the love of her life, the late Coach Glen R. Clem.
She is survived by her son, Glen Clem and his wife Sherrye, her daughter, Angela Clem Harbin and her husband John, and her grandchildren Glen Clem III, Jackson Clem, Jake Stojkovic, Kristen Harbin, Kaitlyn Harbin, Kelsea Little, Haelyn McKenna and Morgan Osborn.
Sara was born in her hometown of Jasper, Alabama, on November 25, 1934. Her life growing up in Jasper was filled with home, family, church, and an interest in the arts. Throughout her youth, she was an avid ballet and tap dancer alongside her abilities as an accomplished acrobat. Dance and acrobatics offered her the opportunity to travel and to perform with a dance troupe exhibiting her acrobatic skills around the region.
Soon she would attend the former Walker High School, (Jasper High School), where she excelled in academics and in leadership and service roles, for her classes. An additional part of her high school life involved marching as a Majorette, often leading the Viking marching band onto the field twirling with fire.
After graduating from Walker High School, (Jasper High School), she earned her B.S degree from the former Howard College, which is now known as Samford University. While at Howard (Samford), she continued to engage in meaningful leadership roles, within the college community. She was an enthusiastic member of Phi Mu Sorority, ultimately becoming President, of her organization.
Following her graduation from Howard College, (Samford), she continued her studies and earned her Master's Degree from The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. This experience would direct her lifelong career of service in the field of education, as a dedicated and inspirational teacher. Over the years, she was an instructor of business courses at the former Walker College, Walker County Trade School, Cold Springs High School, Walker High School, and at Oakman High School.
Sara had a zest for life, was a passionate reader, and was a lifelong learner who enjoyed time in her later years, with many of her close friends. She took pleasure in their camaraderie through shared experiences at the former Walker College, at sporting events, at Master Gardener's Club, at faith-based gatherings, and with traveling retreats, to other countries of the world.
She was a lifelong member of Jasper's First Baptist Church community. She appreciated sharing her time with her church family. Most of all she loved God and modeled the teachings of Jesus, in her home. Sara was a faithful servant to the Lord.
Pallbearers will include Glen Clem III, Jackson Clem, Jake Stojkovic, and John Harbin.
Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. Alain Bouchard, Dr. Ty Blackwell, Ridgeview Nursing Home Staff, Southeast Hospice Staff, and special friend and caretaker Janice Baswell.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, Jasper, Alabama, to the Walker Area Community Foundation, to the American Diabetes Association, or to the American Heart Association.
Kilgore-Green Funeral Home, Jasper; 205-384-9503