Evelyn Marie Kirby Clardy, 92, of Lometa died Sept. 14, 2021 in Nacogdoches.
Viewing took place Sept. 19 at the Lometa Church of Christ, and the service followed with Aubrey Rodgers officiating. Afterward, a graveside service was held at Senterfitt Cemetery near Lometa. Sneed Funeral Chapel had charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Clardy was born on Aug. 6, 1929 near Lometa. She was the daughter of J.C. "Pete" and Hattie Lee Everett Kirby. Her grandparents were pioneer families of Lampasas County.
After graduating from Lometa High School, she attended Abilene Christian College from 1946 to 1948.
While on the tennis court at ACC, she met John Clardy, a returning World War II veteran from Brownwood. They were married on July 21, 1947.
After he graduated from the Boy Scouts of America National Training School in Mendham, New Jersey, the Clardys served in Boy Scout councils headquartered in Roswell, New Mexico, Dallas (Kaufman), Galveston, Lubbock, Houston and Waco. John served on the National Boy Scout Council staff in Irving beginning in 1972. During those years, the Clardys went on camping adventures up the West and East coasts, and frequently camped at the family ranch near Lometa.
When he retired on Jan. 1, 1986, John and Evelyn retired to the home they and their sons had constructed near Lometa in the 1970s.
Mrs. Clardy was active in many community organizations, including the American Red Cross (home nursing care instructor), PTA and Lometa Garden Club. For 14 years, she was president of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #116 in Lometa and implemented scholarships for Lometa ISD girls to attend Girls State.
Since 1986, the Clardys were active in historic preservation efforts. As members of the Lampasas County Historical Commission, they aided in the publication of “Lampasas County, Texas: Its History and Its People” in 1991.
During their tenure as officers of the Senterfitt Cemetery Association, they guided the cemetery through several major improvements in maintenance and records; the construction of an entryway and pavilion; publication of the association newsletter, map, and index; and placement of the historical marker.
Mrs. Clardy served as the Lubbock County chairman for Bill Clements' campaign for governor in 1978. She was especially proud when her son Travis Clardy was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2013.
She had been a member of the Church of Christ since childhood, served as a preschool teacher and was active in church projects in the various congregations where they lived.
She served 12 years as a volunteer Cub Scout trainer, Cub Scout den mother and Boy Scout leader while her sons all attained the Eagle Scout rank. For her service to the church and Scouting, Mrs. Clardy was recognized by the Members of Churches of Christ for Scouting with the Faithful Servant Award.
Survivors include three sons, Brad Clardy of Lubbock, Mark Clardy and wife Sara of Crowley, and Travis Clardy and wife Judy of Nacogdoches; two former daughters-in-law, Shannon Wallace Maxfeldt of San Antonio and Desiree Clark Clardy of Abilene; one brother, Everett A. Kirby of Goldthwaite; 10 grandchildren, Ryan Clardy, Jessica Brown and husband Kyle, Erin Whitaker and husband Aaron, Caleb Clardy, Olivia Tyler, Lance Clark and wife Halee, Blake Clardy and wife Leah, Gus Clardy and wife Georgina, Luke Clardy, and John Clardy and wife Milla; and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John; sons, Douglas De Clardy and Richard Lee "Dick" Clardy; grandson Nathaniel Clardy; and sister, Mildred Ann Kirby Duncan.
Memorial donations may be made to Senterfitt Cemetery Association, 218 S. 6th St., Lometa, TX 76853.
