Daisy Jackson Clarke

Daisy Jackson Clarke, age 95, of Upper Arlington, Ohio passed away peacefully on June 11, 2023 at Carriage Court Senior Living in Hilliard, Ohio. She was born on September 28, 1927 at home in her family’s farm house high upon a hill, overlooking the beautiful rural landscape of Malta, Ohio. Daisy was a daughter of the late Lorenzo Dow Jackson and Susan Gawthrop Jackson. She was one of 7 children who grew up in a very tight-knit, loving and caring farm family that had a strong work ethic where everyone took care of each other and made sure each family member had enough of what they needed. She adored her family, her many cousins, nieces and nephews, and all her relatives. Daisy graduated from Pennsville High School at age 16 and attended Marietta College where she majored in Biology and Elementary Education. She was President of her Sigma Kappa Sorority at Marietta College, as well as President of the Women’s Athletic Association, Panhellenic Council, and the House Council at the women’s dormitory. She was also active in the Oration Society, the Women’s League, and was an avid women’s volleyball player in college. Daisy always felt that her college years were the most fun and exciting times of her life. It was at Marietta that she met a fellow student who became her future husband, Alfred Clarke, who had recently returned home from service in the European Theater of Operations of WWII. They married on August 29, 1948 and moved to Columbus, Ohio where Daisy taught in the elementary schools of Columbus and Upper Arlington for the next 29 years, in addition to raising 2 boys. Daisy taught various elementary grades during her time as a school teacher, and became a school resource teacher for children with learning disabilities, as well as creating the first educational computer lab in her school as part of the Apple Classroom of Tomorrow (ACOT) initiative during the mid-1980’s. Her passion for educational computing extended beyond the elementary classroom as she would teach introductory computer classes to members of the Upper Arlington Senior Center after she retired. In the elementary classroom, Daisy was a beloved teacher and would often be recognized in the community by many of her former students and their parents who remembered how much they had enjoyed being in her classroom. She was awarded Windermere Elementary School Teacher of the Year for 1986-87. Daisy loved nature and all its resplendent beauty. She always remembered the beautiful Orange Lilies and Marigolds her mother planted outside their farm home and around their garden. Daisy’s interest in plants and flowers was extended through her long-time membership in the Serendipity Garden Club of Ohio. And one of the fondest memories her grandchildren have of Daisy is when she would take them to the magnificent annual Blooms & Butterflies exhibit at the Franklin Park Conservatory. Truly a family favorite, and a tradition her grandchildren will carry on to their own children one day. In addition to her parents, Daisy was preceded in death by her husband Alfred Carpenter Clarke; sisters Mae Jackson Hickerson, and Ruth Jackson Richmond; and brothers Edward Jackson, Lee Jackson, Thomas Jackson, and Franklin Jackson. She is survived by her sons Kenneth Carpenter Clarke (and wife Sue), James Alfred Clarke (and wife Nancy); grandchildren Halley Lynn Clarke, Christine Renee Clarke, Annemarie Nicole Clarke (and husband Justin), John Alfred Clarke, and Weston James Clarke (and wife Janelle). Daisy was a very dedicated and loving mother and grandmother, and greatly cherished by her entire family who knew no bounds of their love for her. Her legacy lives on not only in her family but also in those who felt her love for them. The family would like to thank the many wonderful staff at Carriage Court of Hilliard for their excellent care, kindness, and service - especially Shemika, Ruth, Bertha, Rebecca, Rachael, and Abby, as well as many others. In addition, we would like to thank the many wonderful staff at VITAS Healthcare for their excellent care and service, too. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 3pm at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Road, Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221, followed by a Reception from 4pm – 6pm. Internment will be at the Kingwood Memorial Park in Lewis Center, Ohio. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to send online condolences.