Elizabeth Nell Wallace Clem died on June 26, surrounded by her family. Born on October 23, 1927 in Decatur, Mrs. Clem was a 1945 graduate of Riverside High School and a 1948 graduate of Alabama College for Women, Montevallo. After beginning her career in education in Cullman County, Mrs. Clem married Charles E. Clem, her husband of 59 years. As a lifelong learner, Mrs. Clem earned advanced degrees in education at the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Beginning as a classroom teacher, Mrs. Clem moved gracefully through her career serving the students of Decatur City Schools in various capacities. She was guidance counselor at Austin High School; the first assistant principal of Brookhaven Middle School; the principal of Oak Park Middle School when the building was completed and opened; and Supervisor of Middle Schools and Magnet Schools until her retirement in 1988. During her twelve years at Oak Park, her mantra at faculty meetings was, “We’re here to do good things for boys and girls.”
Mrs. Clem’s retirement years were filled with many interests. She volunteered at Decatur General Hospital, and she became the family historian through her genealogical research. She loved to share her research with those who held a common interest. She and Mr. Clem traveled extensively.
Born and raise in the Methodist Church, Mrs. Clem was a valued member of the church family as a teacher and leader. She joined St. John’s Episcopal Church in 2003.
Mrs. Clem was preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. Clem, her parents, John E. and Julia Wallace and her brothers, John T. Wallace, Harold B. Wallace, and Marion L. Wallace. She is survived by her daughters, Carol Head (Jack) of Roswell, GA and Nell Wallace Standridge (Kerry) of Decatur; granddaughters, Elizabeth Head Lamback (Mark) of Dunwoody, GA and Kathleen Head Stallings (Daniel) of Birmingham; three great grandchildren, Katherine and Samuel Lamback and Jacob Stallings; and sister, Betty Jean Thrasher of Birmingham.
Visitation will be Wednesday, July 3, at 1:00pm in the parish hall at St. John’s Episcopal Church. The burial service with Holy Eucharist will follow at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 202 Gordon Dr. S.E. Decatur, AL 35601 or Delano Park Conservancy, P.O. 742, Decatur, AL 35602 Hartselle Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family.
