Clarece Langley Stockton's Obituary
Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-CAX-NONEX-NONE/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin-top:0in;mso-para-margin-right:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;mso-para-margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA;}Life on the HillA little corner of West Nashville is home to the Langley compound, familiarly known as The Hill. It was there that John Lee Langley and his wife Edmona Besse Degrapenried welcomed the second of their two children, Clarece Langley, on August 15, 1928. From a very early age, it was obvious that Clarece was destined to become a nurturing, compassionate caretaker of those lucky enough to know her. She adored her older brother and was at his side through thick and thin. There were many thin years, as the family endured the hardships and challenges of the Depression years. Clarece learned to make do with what the Lord provided. She learned the value of hard work and the joy to be found in the simple pleasures of life. She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1947 and commenced her retail career with the W. T. Grant department store chain. A certain charmer, named Fred Stockton, captured most of her attention during their High School years; they were married soon after graduation and together built a new house on The Hill. Clarece would live in that home for 62 years. Family, Church and the Grand Ole OpryHer two sons, Fred Jr. and Daniel, soon followed and became the centre of Clarece’s existence. There was great joy and much laughter in the Stockton home. Clarece loved to cook and take care of her family. She truly enjoyed people and exhibited a spirited sense of humor. She taught her boys the importance of integrity and instilled the commitment of “doing what you say you’re going to do, when you’re going to do it”. In her son’s words, Clarece was a fine example of a good Christian woman. She was the picture of grace, dignity and humility. Being an active member of her Church was immensely important to her; the family would often walk to weekly services at the Centenary Methodist Church where Clarece was a Sunday School teacher. Always a Tennessee girl, Clarece was passionate about country music. She especially enjoyed the songs of Merle Haggard, Marty Robbins and everything related to the Grand Ole Opry. She was equally loyal in her political views. People would describe her as a “Yellow Dog Democrat”: someone who would vote Democrat even if their party nominated a dog as candidate. Coping with HeartbreakNever was Clarece’s faith and strength of spirit put to a greater test than in January of 1961, upon the death of her 12-year old son Fred Jr. While the profound sorrow of this loss would stay with her forever, she found solace in her family and many friends who rallied to her support. She continued to derive great joy from spending time with Daniel. As he completed high school and enrolled at Vanderbilt College, Clarece became a huge fan of college football. Clarece was his #1 Cheerleader as she and Fred Sr. loved to attend local and out-of-town games to follow the action. They were immensely proud when Daniel achieved the claim of being the first in the family to graduate college. The Grand Ole Opry: EncoreWhen Fred’s health pushed him to seek less physically strenuous employment, he landed a job as bus driver for the Grand Ole Opry. Clarece was thrilled to ride along with him on bus tours, and before long, she was hired to lead house tours herself. With her walking-encyclopedia-like knowledge of the history on the Opry, she became a permanent fixture and cultivated friendships with the many country music stars that graced the stage. Although it was Fred who introduced her to her new career in 1974, she remained with the organization for almost 20 years, long after Fred passed away in 1979. As much as her Church, her Democrats and the Opry were important facets of her life, the St. Thomas Hospital became a place of special significance for Clarece. The joy of celebrating many new arrivals over the years balanced the compassion of caring for family members and friends through illness and into their final hours. A Friend to All God’s CreaturesThose who knew Clarece would describe her as a simple, unassuming person who appreciated every small act of kindness and paid it forward in spades. She loved the family pet, Tootleum, a basset hound puppy saved during a minnowing trip. Although she did not want cats inside the house, she broke her rule for Tiger, the stray cat Daniel took in. Family lore tells of the time she raised a pet frog and saved it from the jaws of a snake, using sharp words and sharp whacks on the head. To this day, there is friendly competition on The Hill for the title of best caretaker of the hummingbirds, blue birds and deer. The Color BlueClarece enjoyed going walking in the woods on The Hill and rarely returned without adding to her collection of rocks with holes in them. Friends and family were always contributing to the collection, without ever understanding the significance of her rocks. Today, however, when they look at her collection, emptiness is felt, like a hole in their hearts that cannot be replaced. Clarece passed away on September 8, 2012, her well used heart and soul reuniting with her parents, her dear brother, both of her Fred’s and her Lord in the bluest of skies.
What’s your fondest memory of Clarece?
What’s a lesson you learned from Clarece?
Share a story where Clarece's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Clarece you’ll never forget.
How did Clarece make you smile?