Obituaries

Mary “Penny” Peters Clarke went to be with her Heavenly Father suddenly on Saturday, August 9, 2025. She was born to Jack and Ethel [Lake] Peters on November 2, 1945, in Belleville, IL. What a gift she proved to be to her parents, her sister Deborah, and brother, Jack. She was a true blessing to her family, her friends, and all those she loved. In fact, if one word can describe any human being, the word that would best describe Penny is love; it was and is the very essence of who she was.

After graduating from Notre Dame Academy and Eastern Illinois University, she became a teacher, which she was born to do. During that time, she met the love of her life, Ron, who was stationed at Scott Air Force Base; they married on June 27, 1970. Together, they had two children, her greatest blessings, Jason and Heather. After she spent the next several years as a homemaker caring for her family, she returned to teaching with Hampton City Schools, spending the majority of her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher at Aberdeen Elementary School. Her passion and love for her students and teaching earned her the Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

Then, her joy and heart expanded even more with the addition of Heather’s husband, Doug Copeland, and Jason’s wife, Amanda Peters. With them came more love—Dylan and Landon Copeland and Michael and Emily Clarke. Her grandchildren were her greatest blessings, and she cared for and loved them tirelessly.

Like all of us, her life was filled with excitement, sorrow, and joy. Like all of us, she had trials and accomplishments, successes and failures, joys and sorrows. In all of this, there was one dominant gift she gave. It ruled her life and enriched everyone around her. That one gift she gave to family, students, and all her friends, especially her dear and faithful church friends, and her God—it was love—it defined her. She was indeed an image of Christ among us. She was deeply passionate about her volunteer work, especially at Catholic Charities—she also volunteered alongside Ron at the St. Vincent’s De Paul Catholic Church Soup Kitchen as well as the Natasha House in Yorktown, coordinating birthday parties for the children. She was always there for anyone who needed her.

She and Ron were on the kickoff team for the ACTS retreat, and to say that it changed their lives would be an understatement. The retreat brought them their greatest and most treasured friendships. Church activities and friends were a priority. Together, they found joy in family and in the service of others.

Penny is survived by her beloved sister S. Deborah Peters and brother Jack Peters, her son Jason and wife Amanda [Peters] Clarke of Yorktown, their children Michael and Emily; her daughter Heather and husband Doug Copeland of Poquoson, their sons Dylan and Landon; and all her wonderful friends whom she shared life with from Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Community. She is also survived by her sweet Gracie, her faithful and loving dog.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Retired Lt. Col. Ronald Clarke, her parents, Jack and Ethel Peters, and Ron’s mother, Deenie Clarke, whom she loved deeply.

Donations may be made to Catholic Charities or St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen.

A funeral service will be held at Bethel Manor Chapel on Friday, August 15, at 2:00 p.m.