Hortense Clemons

Hortense H. Clemons passed away January 5, 2010. She was born to the late Edward and Marie (Peoples) Fatio on October 28, 1920 in Brunswick, GA. The Fatio family relocated to Toledo in the mid 1920’s to seek better opportunities. Edward Fatio a Mason, worked as a bricklayer, carpenter, plasterer, mechanic, and eventually was the owner of a small grocery store, Baby Supermarket on Lawrence Avenue. The family was an active part of Warren African Methodist, Episcopal (AME) Church in Toledo, Ohio, the oldest predominately black congregation in Northwest Ohio dedicated in 1871. Growing up in Warren AME Church helped Hortense become a continuous learner with a curious mind and her love of the Church was constant throughout the years. She attended Gunckel Elementary, Robinson Junior High School and graduated from Scott High School in 1938. Always one to better herself, Hortense attended the University of Toledo where she majored in engineering. Her formal education helped Hortense to develop the ability and imagination to create things; she took classes at the Toledo Museum of Art that gave her the skills to create sculptures. She developed a passion to design ladies hats, which eventually resulted in Hortense being one of the first black women featured in the Jet Magazine for designing and making ladies hats. On August 28, 1943 she married Frank Charles Clemons, a star athlete at the University of Toledo who later became an officer in the army and awarded a bronze star for combat operations in the Philippine Islands during World War II. Hortense and Frank raised three children (Frank, Fatino, and Edward). During World War II she was employed by the Ford Motor Company as a welder, Rossford Ordnance Depot as a logistics supervisor, and a systems analyst for the Tank Automotive Material Readiness Command in Rock Island, Illinois and Warren Michigan. Her diligent work effort demonstrated her commitment to her work and her family commuting 160 miles a day for a number of years. Hortense retired after 35 years of Federal Service. Love of church, family, and community served as a source of strength for Hortense throughout the years. She was a member of Warren AME Church for over 70 years where she served as a member of the Trustee Board, Minute Ladies, Lay Organization, Endowment Committee, Church School and member of the Funeral Food Staff. In addition her community activities included volunteering for the Toledo Museum of Art where she ushered and served on the committee of culture diversity, Toledo Day Nursery, Toledo Symphony League, Toledo Opera Guild, the Northwest Ohio West Point Parent Club, and Top Ladies of Distinction. She always without fanfare remembered those who were passed over or less fortunate, by offering a helpful hand or encouraging word. Hortense had a fond appreciation for fitness and nutrition, she loved to walk, exercise, dance, and travel especially to Europe and South America. This helped her to live a long and full life which was enjoyed by everyone she touched. Hortense was preceded in death by husband Frank C. Clemons of 64 years, grandson, Marc A. Clemons, granddaughter Dominique Clemons, and great granddaughter Shante Fields. She is survived by sons Frank C. Clemons III (Shirley), Edward F. Clemons (Denise); daughter Fatino M. Kincaide (Clyde) grandchildren, Frank Clemons IV (Angie) Charles Clemons (Edith) Tammy Fields (Melvin), Tianna Clemons Clyde Kincaide III, Nicole Clemons, Marcus Clemons, great grandchildren, Latrice Galloway, Alante Fields, Alyiah Clemons, Kayla Clemons, Frank C. Clemons V, great great grandchildren, Heaven Galloway, Jada Clemons, cousin Clarisse McCree, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. Visitation will be Friday, January 15th from 4-6p.m., wake service 6-8p.m. with Top Ladies of Distinction rites at 6:30p.m. Family hour will be Saturday, January 16th at 10a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11a.m. Rev. Otis J. Gordon Jr. Officiant. All services will be conducted at Warren AME Church, 915 Collingwood Blvd. Toledo, Ohio. The Entombment will follow the funeral service and will be conducted at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. Memorial donations can be made to the Frank C. and Hortense Clemons Scholarship Fund, c/o University of Toledo Foundation. Make checks payable to the University of Toledo Foundation or go online to www.utfoundation.com all cards, flowers and memorials should be sent to Dale-Riggs Funeral Home 572 Nebraska Avenue, Toledo, OH 43604. www.dalefh.com