Flora Clearkin

SHREVEPORT, LA - Flora Irene McKethan Clearkin, 88, passed away on October 1, 2014 after a lengthy illness. A private graveside service will be held with Father Karl Daigle officiating. Mrs. Clearkin was born in Fayetteville, NC, on May 25, 1926. She attended Greensboro College and after college worked for several years at Ft. Bragg, NC. While there she met and married her husband of 57 years, Kevin Patrick Clearkin, M.D. His military career took them and their two daughters all over the world, and at each location she worked tirelessly to get her family settled and involved in the community. During their travels throughout the United States, Germany, Japan, and Ireland she would involve herself in local activities. She held positions such as PTA President and President of the Officers' Wives' Club more than once. \"Rene\" was a gifted artist, and took classes to hone her skills in oils and watercolor whenever possible. She loved helping her children and grandchildren with school projects and decorations through the years. Family meant everything to Mrs. Clearkin, and she always gave her full attention to whomever or whatever she was helping at the time. Flora was loving, kind, funny, feisty, quirky, creative and had a deep, quiet faith. Mrs. Clearkin adored her immediate and extended family, and remained close to all of her five siblings and their children despite the distance that separated them. She doted on her children and grandchildren, and loved spoiling them. She was devoted to her precious husband and was simply unable to go on without him. Mrs. Clearkin was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Kevin Patrick Clearkin, her parents, Mr. Duncan Alexander and Mrs. Rebecca Taylor McKethan, brother, Kenneth Alexander McKethan, sisters Elizabeth Taylor Stephenson, Rebecca Campbell Whitenack and Jane Ray Mescal. She is survived by her brother, Duncan Alexander McKethan, two daughters, Maureen Gamble and her husband Keith Gamble, and Dr. Nancy Germany Eberhardt and her husband, Terry Eberhardt; grandchildren; Walker Gamble, Caroline and Patrick Germany, Maddison and Morgan Eberhardt, and great-grandson, Grayson Eberhardt. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved. The family would like to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff at the Guest House and to Shari Powell at Gamble Hospice. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 204 Patton Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71105 or to Community Renewal International, 838 Margaret Place, Shreveport, LA 71101.