Reverend Mother Jessie Mable Yarborough Clemons

July 23, 1927 - October 2, 2017

Rocky Mount, NC The Life and Legacy Of The Reverend Mother Jessie Mable Yarborough Clemons “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” So began the life of Jessie Mable Yarborough Clemons. Mother Clemons as she was affectionately called by many, was one of seven children born to the late Eugene Carter and Lucy Person Yarborough on July 15, 1927. As a native of Louisburg, NC, she attended Franklin County Training School and graduated in 1945. Mother Clemons furthered her education by attending North Carolina A & T College in Greensboro, NC as well as Beauty College in Durham, NC, where she trained to be a beautician. Not only was she a beautician, but she was also blessed to work as a kindergarten teacher at Leslie Street Community Center. Mother Clemons made history by being one of the first head start teachers in Wayne County. In her later years, Mother Clemons was the coordinator of the Senior Citizen Nutritional Program in Mount Olive, NC. “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” As a young girl Mother Clemons was raised in St. Paul Presbyterian Church. She loved the Lord so much so that as soon as St. Paul dismissed she would go around the corner and attend services at Mt. Hebron United Holy Church (UHC). Mother Clemons had a thirst for God and many people knew there was a call on her life. She was baptized with the Holy Ghost and Fire at the Bible Way Church. She was instrumental in starting a choir called the Joy Bells. Mother Clemons was called into the ministry in her early twenties. And at the age of 78, one of her fondest dreams came true, she was ordained and received her pastoral license. Many who knew Mother Clemons knew her favorite scripture was Proverbs 3: 5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” While attending a service in Stokes, NC at Clemons Grove United Holy Church, she met and fell in love with a powerful singer Samuel David Clemons, Sr. After just four months of courtship, they were united in holy matrimony on September 9, 1950. They embraced each other, vowed to serve God, and love one another for a lifetime. Darling, as she affectionately called him, and Jessie were married for over 55 beautiful years. One of Mother Clemons most honorable duties as a wife, was to stand courageously and faithfully by her husband for over 45 years as the First Lady of the churches he pastored. She was loved and adored by the members of the following churches: St. Jude UHC, Clinton; Holy Tabernacle UHC, Roseboro; Saints Delight UHC, Mount Olive; Faith Tabernacle UHC, Kinston; and Pentecostal UHC, Goldsboro. For many years she served as President of the United Holy Church Southern District Ministers’ Wives Association. Mother Clemons molded the lives of many and was a positive role model for the old and young alike. “Her children arise up, and call her blessed;” To Bishop Samuel and Mother Clemons union, two lovely children Samuel Jr. and Eunice DeBorah were born. They were her pride and joy. She was a firm believer that you should train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” Preceding her in death was her beloved husband, Bishop Samuel David Clemons Sr.; her parents; four sisters Wynona O’Kelly, Iris Riddick, Gwendolyn Reid, and Evelyn Lewis; two brothers Eugene Yarborough and Thomas Yarborough. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving son Pastor Samuel D. Clemons Jr. (daughter-in-love, Rosa) and daughter Minister Eunice DeBorah Long (son-in-love, Tommy Jr.). Mother Clemons was also survived by three grandchildren who she loved dearly Rev. Samuel D. Clemons, III (wife, Shanaca), Minister Samonica C. Smith, and Bryson L. Burney. She also leaves 5 great-grandchildren Savonne, Samuel IV, Ricky, Samya, and Quanae along with a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends. Mother Clemons fought a good fight, she finished her course, and she kept the faith. Now there is laid up for her a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give. A Viewing for Reverend Clemons will be held from 4pm to 6pm, on Friday, October 6, 2017. Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at New Morning Star Church of Christ in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Interment in Wayne Memorial Park Dudley, North Carolina. These professional services have been entrusted to Morgan Funerals & Cremations located at 320 South Glendale Drive, Rocky Mount, North Carolina.