Obituary of Sallie Clarke

Sara Wathen Montgomery Clarke, known as “Sallie,” to her friends and family, age 88, of Harrodsburg, Kentucky, died Saturday, October 12, 2024 at The Willows in Harrodsburg, Sallie was born in Lebanon, Kentucky on June 19, 1936, to the late James Richard Montgomery and Sara Wathen Rubel Montgomery. She is the widow of Augustine "Gus" Edward Clarke II. Sallie is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Wathen Clarke of Alanta, Georgia, and Margaret McKinivan Clarke (Dax) Carmickle of Lexington, Kentucky; two sons, Augustine "Gus" Edward (Cheryl) Clarke III of Milton, Georgia, and Alexander Kenrick Hughes Clarke of Cham, Switzerland; one sister, Flaget Montgomery Nally of Saint Catherine, Kentucky; one brother, Thomas Alexander (Jill) Montgomery of LaGrange, Georgia; three grandchildren, Dax Alexander Carmickle, Olivia Anne Clarke, and Isabella Elizabeth Clarke. While growing up in Springfield, Kentucky, she attended St. Catherine Academy High School for girls. After high school, Sallie continued her education at Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. Sallie received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology,with a minor in English.After graduating, she practiced social work in the counties of Carrol, Gallatin, and Boone, working with unwed mothers and adopted children. On April 18,1959,Sallie married Augustine Edward Clarke II, a native of Lexington, Kentucky. After marrying, they settled in Harrodsburg, Kentucky where“Gus,” as he was known, owned and operated Clarke & Keller Oil Company for decades. Gus also successfully served as President of Lewis Transport Inc, a regional oil transportation company for 31 years. While raising her family, Sallie never lost her love for helping children. She served as a substitute teacher at Harrodsburg High School, Harlow Elementary, and the former St. Andrew grade school. Sallie and Gus were also longtime members and supporters of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Harrodsburg. Sallie was also heavily involved in the Jane McAfee Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), was also a longtime member of the James Harrod Trust, and a member of the Harrodsburg Historical Society. Her insatiable love of history and family genealogy spurred her on to spend several years researching her mother’s family ancestry to the infamous explorer Sir Francis Drake. This quest took her as far as Plymouth, England. One of Sallie’s proudest moments was when she was awarded Maryville University’s lauded “Volunteer Achievement” award in 1988. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 am ET; Saturday, March 1, 2025, at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1125 Danville Road, Harrodsburg, Kentucky. There will be a private burial at Calvary Cemetery, in Lexington, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, masses are requested for Sara Wathen Montgomery Clarke and Gus Edward Clarke II. at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1125 Danville Road, Harrodsburg, KY 40330. Arrangements by Ransdell Funeral Chapel, Harrodsburg, KENTUCKY, where expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.ransdellfuneralchapel.com