Frances Joy (Robertson) Clearman, age 96, of Moulton, AL passed away on January 31, 2024, in her residence at NHC nursing home. Her family will host a service at Spring Hill Methodist Church in Barbour County, AL at a later date. Parkway Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Guestbook available at www.parkwayfunerals.com.
Frances was born November 12, 1927, and grew up in Batesville and Comer, AL, along with three sisters and three brothers. She graduated from the University of Montevallo and went on to become a teacher.
Frances was a well-loved teacher at Austinville Elementary and Woodmeade Elementary in Decatur, AL, among other schools. She also drove a bookmobile and volunteered at libraries. Always an avid reader, she passed down her love of reading to her children and grandchildren.
She loved perusing antique shops, and collecting dolls and tea sets. Frances enjoyed taking long walks in the countryside with dogs and cats and grandchildren by her side, picking blackberries and watching out for snakes. Her beloved response to wellness inquiries was “mean as ever,” although that couldn’t be further from the truth. She was compassionate, smart, adventurous, witty, and kind. She made a significant impact on everyone around her that will last forever.
She was preceded in death by three sons, Kenneth Jay Clearman, William Wesley “Bill” Clearman, and Charles B. “Chuck” Clearman; her parents, William Leverett Robertson, Sr. and Dimple Dot (Hunt) Robertson; three brothers, W. L. Robertson, Jr. (Sally), Ott Austin “Bobby” Robertson, and Charles Loyd “Bubba” Robertson; and three sisters, Annie Maude Carlisle (Herbert), Dimple Dot “Dotsy” Williamson (Sonny), and Gloria Steinhilber (Willard).
She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Kelley (James); five grandchildren, Jennifer Ament, Rebecca Kamal (Emaad), Melanie Ballard (Evan), James Hyche Kelley, and Kathryn Kelley; and three great-grandchildren, Perry Ballard, Frances Ballard, and Lyra Kamal.
