Mrs. Clare Corson Armistead's Obituary
Clare Corson Armistead, a beloved Nashville leader who dedicated her life to bettering the community through support of numerous nonprofit organizations, passed away on July 20,2022 at the age of 93 following a brave battle with cancer.
She spent almost her entire life in Nashville, the only place she ever called home. She passed away in the renovated Carriage House only 50 yards away from where she grew up, in the Belle Meade Apartments built by her grandfather. She attended Parmer School and Ward Belmont in Nashville, only briefly moving from Nashville to attend the Barmore School in New York, New York.
In 1950 Clare married Hunter Armistead, Sr., a noted personality and businessman who lovingly supported her at every turn. She was a devoted mother to her sons, Hunter and Ben, who championed her every move.
As a young mother, she commenced volunteering for nonprofit groups – a devotion that came to span more than 70 years of relentless support to organizations large and small. She chaired the Swan Ball for Cheekwood, the Ballet Ball for the Nashville Ballet, the Gala for the Centennial Park Conservancy, Once in
a Blue Moon Festival for the Land Trust For Tennessee, and Sunday in the Park for Friends of Warner Parks, for which she was a founder. Other non-profits she actively supported as a board member are the Nashville Institute for the Arts, Nashville Public Television; Sinking Creek Film Festival, Larkspur Conservation, Alive Hospice, the Garden Club of Nashville and the Tennessee State Museum.
Innate to Clare Armistead’s charm was her incomparable sense of style. In 2015, she was recognized and awarded by Nashville Fashion Week as its first Style Icon. Always one to cherish tradition and classic beauty, Clare’s style was also timeless and cosmopolitan. Often viewed as the last word on matters of style and taste, she was solicited by charities and friends alike for assistance throughout her life, much to their mutual delight.
Though her generosity and commitment permanently altered and elevated the landscape of the charity scene, Clare Armistead’s true gift was herself. She was beloved in every corner of society. Her friends– young, older, and everywhere in between–treasured her. So did the workers who assisted her – virtually everyone who came in contact. Status or stature did not matter;
she treated everyone with respect and a natural curiosity and interest.
Those of us who knew Clare adored her unique Southern drawl (barely anything was spoken in one syllable). Her often memorable remarks charmed many and made others laugh out loud. With her understated smile and perfect poise, her inspiring and always beautiful presence will be remembered equally with the seismic difference she made in this city. She remained optimistic about Nashville and our collective future to the very end.
We will savor every moment of her beauty, style, charm, and love. Gracious and grateful, humble and remarkably effective for over 93 years, few if any, in Nashville’s history have touched so many hearts or left behind so many special memories as Clare Armistead.
Dress in your best and raise a glass to Clare.
Mrs. Armistead was preceded in death by her parents Harry Herbert Corson and Mary Phillips Corson and by her husband Hunter Armistead, Senior. She is survived by her sons Hunter and Benjamin (Tara) Armistead, her grandchildren, Hunter (Alison) Westwood Armistead, Anna (William) Dabney Armistead Clinton, and Lewis (Abigail) Addison Armistead, and her great grandchildren, Clare Corson Armistead,
James Bryant Armistead, Hunter Jack Armistead, and Charlotte Dabney Clinton.
Visitation (she called it a Going Away Party) is August 5th between 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Belle Meade Country Club
Private graveside services will include the immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, please send a gift to the charity of your choice.
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