Margaret Virginia Clemons died peacefully at her home on October 27, 2021, in Tracy, California at the age of 84. She is now resting in the arms of our Heavenly Father. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents: John and Zelphry Blalock; her son: Jonathon Wiley Clemons, her sisters: Doris Ward, Louise Martin, Joanie Chavis, and brothers: Larry and Richard Blalock and her brother in law, Lee Van Clemons.
Margaret was born to John Marshall Blalock and Zelphry Louise Ward on December 26, 1936, in Monroe County, Georgia. In Margaret's early years, she was raised in Juliette, Georgia. At a young age, Margaret migrated with her mother and sisters, Joanie, Doris and Louise, by train to San Francisco, California, as her Father obtained work in San Francisco. Her brothers, John, Larry and Richard would later be born to their young family. Margaret graduated from Polytechnic High School in San Francisco, where she debuted as a debutante.
Margaret lived in San Francisco until she married her husband Lee Clemons on April 08, 1956. The couple was blessed with 4 children, Yolonda, JoAnna, Ronald, and Jonathon. The couple originally resided in San Francisco and moved to Richmond, Ca. In 1968 the family moved to Pinole Valley, Ca. In 1977, they moved to Tracy, CA. where Lee brought his family business, C&S Metals, to Tracy, CA.
Margaret accepted Christ at an early age and her family became members of New Providence Baptist Church in San Francisco. She united with several congregations in the Bay Area, over the years. In 1981 she united with the Good News Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend David L Jemison, and in 1985 Reverend B. Carl Edwards until his retirement. She continued her membership with the church under the leadership of Reverend Tyrone Morrison II and Reverend Howard Baker until her passing.
Margaret was a pillar in the community. She was a member of various organizations including the Red Hats Society, President of the Tracy Soroptimist Club, and The Tracy Exchangette Club, the African American Association, and the President of the Tracy Reachout Committee. She was a Director of the Chamber of Commerce for the City of Tracy and achieved the honorary position of Ambassador for the City of Tracy. Margaret was the first African American woman to accomplish this honorary position. And she was always a huge part of the Annual Tracy Bean Festivals.
Margaret worked for and retired from Bank of America. Additionally, Margaret's experiences and career knowledge propelled her to want to teach. She became a teacher of business banking for the Tracy Adult school. She taught students that have gone on to achieve some of the highest positions in the banking industry. Margaret loved to travel, and with that passion, she fulfilled her desire and became a travel agent with the West Valley Travel Agency in Tracy, CA. After retirement, Margaret joined Lee full-time with their family business.
She and Lee were avid RV club members traveling in their motorhomes. They travelled across the country with their family, giving the children the adventures of a lifetime. Margaret and Lee also had great times with their Motorhome club friends.
The great love of Margaret’s life was her family. She always encouraged the family to have fun, “always strive to be the best of who you are”. She was a gentle lady, but she firmly instilled lessons in life and worked diligently to keep the family together.
Margaret with her family also loved to host annual holiday events and family reunions at their home in Tracy, CA., most memorably, their Labor Day weekend celebrations. At these events Margaret loved to dance – just turn the music on and you would find her dancing her heart away with a smile on her face to the beat wanting to learn every new dance of time! The simple pleasures of life always brought her so much joy.
Throughout her challenges in life, especially in the later years, she kept a positive attitude and continued to encourage others, always giving her support and words of wisdom and encouragement.
Left to grieve her passing, her beloved husband and friend of 65 years Lee Hurmon Clemons; Margaret’s brother and remaining sibling John Blalock, sister in law Adrienne, sister-in-law Helene Clemons; Her children: Yolonda, JoAnna and son-in-law Frank, and Ronald and daughter-in-law Michelle; Margaret’s 6 grandchildren: Marshall Wills, Darayl Clemons, Trinity Clemons, Alisha Clemons, Tanaia Clemons, and Adrianna and husband Bojie Melendez in addition to 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and special family friends from throughout the Bay Area and across the country.
Click here to view a webcast of the service on 11/12/2021 at 10:50 AM, Pacific Standard Time.
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