Obituary of Willie Byrd "Weebie" Childress Clarke

Willie Byrd “Weebie” Childress Clarke, age 85, passed away peacefully at her home in McMinnville, TN on Saturday, February 17, 2024. Born July 22, 1938, she grew up in Bedford, VA, where she graduated from Bedford High School and then went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA before marrying Harvey B. Clarke of Perry, GA in 1961. Willie Byrd was the mother to three wonderful children, Andy, David and Melanie.

She was a member of the McMinnville First Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir and was a frequent soloist. She was devoted to her students at the preschool program at Bedford Presbyterian Church where she taught for many years prior to retirement and her return to Tennessee.

Willie Byrd (who was nicknamed “Weebie” by her classmates in college) was preceded by her parents, Wes and Mary Childress and her daughter, Melanie.

Weebie is survived by her husband, Harvey B. Clarke of McMinnville, TN; her children, Dr. Andy Clarke of Memphis, TN and David Clarke of Alexandria, VA; her grandchildren, Ellen Clarke of Birmingham, AL and Jack Clarke of Memphis, TN and three younger brothers, William Childress, Kenneth Childress and Tim Childress, all of Virginia.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Updike Funeral Home, Bedford.  Interment will follow at 1:00 pm at Greenwood Cemetery with Rev. John T. Salley officiating.  

Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.