Nora Gordon Clarke, wife of former Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court Harold G. Clarke, died peacefully Thursday, July 21, 2016 at home surrounded by her family at the age of 85.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM Saturday, July 23, 2016, at Forsyth Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow the service. Burial will be private in Monroe Hills Memorial Gardens. The family will greet friends Friday, 5:30PM – 7:30PM, in the Parish House of Forsyth Presbyterian Church.

Her family takes comfort in remembering her as a vibrant and caring mother, who loved her children and grandchildren with all of her heart.

Nora Gordon was the daughter of W. H. and Annie Florence Jarrell Gordon. She was born in Crawford, Georgia on September 19,1930 and spent her youth in Commerce, Georgia where she attended Commerce High School. Nora attended Blackstone College in Virginia and Wesleyan Conservatory in Macon. While in Macon, she met her future husband, Harold G. Clarke of Forsyth, Georgia. After Nora and Harold were married in 1952, they made their home in Forsyth, and she began working at the Clarke's family owned weekly newspaper, the Monroe County Advertiser. She established deep roots in Forsyth while raising their four children and was active in her community. Nora was an Elder of the Forsyth Presbyterian Church and was active in many organizations such as Girl Scouts, the Pink Ladies, and in the later years, The Monroe County Art's Alliance.

Nora, affectionately known as Miss Nora, was considered a second mother to all children in the neighborhood. Her children's friends all came to enjoy Nora's company and quick wit, and she never found herself without an invitation to gather socially. Nora brought light and happiness to any gathering she attended, making friends out of mere acquaintances. After her children left the house, Nora enjoyed spending more time in Atlanta with Harold during the week, but her heart remained at home in Forsyth. When her husband of 61 years died in 2013, a family friend stated "behind a successful man is a great woman." This could not be more true for Nora Clarke. Even during difficult times, she was a strong woman all the while being the epitome of southern grace. Nora will always be remembered as a fun-loving, opinionated, and supportive wife who remained strong during her battles and victories over breast and lung cancer.

Preceded in death by her husband, Harold Clarke, she is survived by her children, Lee Ann Nash of High Falls, Hal Clarke (Barbara) of Forsyth, Julie Clarke of Marietta, and Beth Maner (Randy) of Atlanta, along with six loving grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Forsyth Presbyterian Church, 63 North Jackson Street, Forsyth, GA 31029.

Hart’s Mortuary at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.