Penelope Clements

Penelope "Penny" Chapman Clements, 98, of Spartanburg, SC, died on Saturday, March 26, 2016. She was born February 7, 1918 to the late Charles Emerson and Sarah Jane Watson Chapman on the family farm in Salem Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania. She was the widow of Leonard Allen Clements who died in 1978. Penny was a sergeant in the Women's Army Corps serving during World War II in New York State, Iowa, California, Louisiana, Georgia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. An Administrative Support Supervisor she ran the clerical pool and was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Campaign Stars for her service in New Guinea and the Philippines. In 1951, she earned a degree in Business Administration from Pace College in New York City. She met her husband Leonard while working at Gluv-Gard in New York City. They married and in 1952 moved to Clemson with Leonard's job with Milliken. Later, they moved to Laurens, McCormick, and finally to Spartanburg in 1965. Penny was employed with Belk Hudson and Jordan Oil Company. She also taught at Cecil's Business College. A member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church for more than 50 years, she was the honored recipient of the SC Catholic Woman of the Year Award in 1974. She was also the past president of St. Paul's Women's Club, Greenville Deanery Council of Catholic Women, and SC Council of Catholic Women. She was an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and a member of the St. Cecilia Circle. Active in the Republican Party for many years, Penny served as the polling manager in Spartanburg. She organized Girl Scout troops and a Cub Scout Den and Pack and was a leader and Den Mother for many years. She was also a longtime volunteer with Mobile Meals Service, a member of VFW Post #9539, past president of the VFW Auxiliary, and past senior vice president of the American Legion Auxiliary. Penny was the mother of John C. Clements of Columbia, SC, Meg C. Stroupe (Bruce) of Spartanburg, SC, Paul R. Clements (Cindy) of Lexington, SC, George W. Clements (Mary) of Spartanburg, SC, Mary C. Stroupe (Gil) of Forsyth, GA, Joseph A. Clements of Atlanta, GA, James A. Clements (Christine) of Columbia, SC, and Catherine C. Caswell (Chris) of Cary, NC. She was Grammy to her grandchildren, Paul Clements, Jr. (Jennifer), Brandon Stroupe (Sallye), Holly Williams (Mike), Catherine Cappiello (Tory), Andrew Clements (Selena), Susan Stroupe, Allen Stroupe (Mackenzie), Matthew Caswell (Caryn), Karen Stroupe, Michael Clements (Claudia), Emily Craven (Matthew), Ann Knepper (Matt), Margaret Parker (Stephen), Patrick Clements, James Clements, Erin Doetch (Josh), Thomas Clements (Amanda), Sarah Clements, Peter Clements, Daniel Clements, Joseph Caswell, George Sophocleous, Charles Sophocleous, Anna Sophocleous, and Philip Sophocleous; and her 20 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her twelve siblings; and her granddaughter, Elizabeth Caswell. The Rosary service will begin at 5:30 PM Monday, April 4, 2016 with visitation following from 6:00-8:00 PM at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:00 AM Tuesday, April 5, 2016, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 290 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29302, by the Rev. David Whitman. Burial, with military honors, will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307. Memorials may be made to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church Building Fund, 161 N. Dean St., Spartanburg, SC 29302; or Mobile Meals Service, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304. The family is at the home. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Penelope "Penny" Clements please visit our Sympathy Store.