Dorothy Clementine “Clemy” Bales, 89, of Marfa, passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2019 in El Paso.
Clementine was well known in the Marfa community for her beautiful piano music. She was pianist for the First United Methodist Church for many years, and she played for many weddings, funerals, and community concerts. She also accompanied several Marfa students for their various band contests. However, one of her greatest joys was helping the children with their music at Vacation Bible School.
Clementine was employed at Marfa National Bank for 20 years and was active in the community. She was a long-time member and supporter of the Presidio County 4-H Adult Leaders and, along with her husband, Sherman, was very instrumental in the construction and operation of the Presidio County 4-H Barn.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Marfa for 47 years and was very active in her church.
She was born on June 19, 1930, in Fort Worth to Dorothy and E.C. Murray, attended Fort Worth schools and graduated from Arlington Heights High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Sherman Bales, on August 28, 1947. Clementine studied piano at an early age and, when she was a young girl, played piano for the Fort Worth Recreation Department for recitals and other events in the Fort Worth city parks. She was also a talented writer and was published in The Junior Historian publication of the Texas State Historical Association when she was in high school.
Clementine was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Sherman H. Bales Jr.; her parents, Dorothy and E.C. Murray; and two brothers, Billy Murray and Patrick Murray.
She is survived by daughter Mary Mitschke and husband Gary of Marfa; daughter Betty Smith of El Paso; son Mike Bales and wife Leticia of Marfa; son Jim Bales and wife Elfida of Marfa; granddaughters Erica Smith of El Paso, Emily Couch of Manito, Illinois, Courtney Woolley of Rocklin, California, and Kirsten Yancey of San Angelo; nine great-grandchildren, Raymond, Rudy and Ruth Smith, Lily, Daisy and Rosie Couch, and Austin, Dylan and Tristan Woolley; sister Judy Reger of Poolville, Texas; sister-in-law Patsy Bales of La Grange, Texas; and several nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as a host of friends.
Graveside services were the morning of Monday, July 8 in the Marfa Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas, 1315 Barbara Jordan Blvd., Austin, TX 78723; or First United Methodist Church, PO Box 687, Marfa, TX 79843; or Friends of the Marfa Public Library, PO Drawer U, Marfa, TX 79843; or Marfa Nutrition Center, PO Drawer U, Marfa, TX 79843.
Alpine Memorial Funeral Horne in Alpine has been entrusted with arrangements.