Candace Ruth Clarke, life partner of Ann Blackwood of Anderson, SC, passed away on December 30, 2017, at Rainey Hospice House. Born in Greenville, SC, on August 16, 1950, Candy is the daughter of Patsy Munroe Clarke of Raleigh, NC and of the late Harry Wilson Clarke. She was a star athlete and Valedictorian of her high school graduating class. She graduated from Furman University where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Biology, and was also an active athlete in basketball and field hockey. Her Masters in Education was earned at Indiana University. She worked as a high school biology teacher in Buncombe County, NC, where her unending devotion, boundless energy and demanding standards had a tremendously positive effect on all her students, receiving Teacher of the Year Award several times. Her heart flowed toward people in need. She passionately volunteered for the Special Olympics in Asheville, NC; in A.R.C., People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; and was very active volunteering for underprivileged people. She was also a devoted member of Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church. In addition to her mother and life partner Ann, Candy is survived by her sister, Judy Clarke and her husband, Thomas H. Speedy Rice of San Diego, CA; brother, Bruce Clarke and his wife, Diana Clarke of Raleigh, NC; nieces, Megan Mobley of Raleigh, NC, Erin Lesica of Boston, MA, and nephew Alan Clarke of Charlotte, NC; and grand-nephews, Holden and Fletcher Mobley. In addition to her father, Candy was preceded in death by her brother, Mark Russell Clarke. Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 pm Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church. Donations may be made to a cause or charity of your choice. Candy would have loved them all. Events Celebration of life Friday, February 3, 2017 1:30PM Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church Sandy Springs, SC, US Sandy Springs, SC 29677 Phone: 864-261-9861