Our beautiful Mother Merle Joy Clampitt, “Little Glass China Doll”, went home to her other family on Friday, January 15, 2016, with her children and other family members by her side. She was born January 9, 1938, two miles west of Oswego to Josephine (Schindler) Jackson and Wilson Jackson, she was the fourth child born. She attended Frazer School.
Merle worked at Glasgow Air Base, Ceta Program, Supervisor of NYC workers, painting with her brother-in-law, Joe Beston Sr., and then she retired to stay at home being a homemaker.
She loved to ride horses in her younger years; on her mare named Goldie. She attended all the rodeos, she enjoyed hunting, pow-wows and especially cruising with her grandchildren and nephews on the bottom country roads.
She married Dallas Howard Sr. and had three children form this marriage; Dallas Jr., Joseph, and Jody. They later divorced. She then married Fletcher Jay Clampitt and had two children Fletcher and Frances Clampitt. Fletcher later passed away and she then remained single raising her children.
Merle is survived by her children; Dallas Howard Jr., of Frazer, Montana, Jody Howard, whereabouts unknown, Fletcher (Donna) Clampitt of Frazer, Montana, Frances (Dooley) Clampitt of Frazer,Montana, Ray Clampitt of Nashua, Montana, Curt Jay Clampitt of Glasgow, Montana; her sisters, Susan (Henry) LaRoque of Frazer, Shari (Joe) Beston of Frazer, Cheryl Doney of Wiota, Montana, Rosalie Smoker of Frazer, Roxy MacDonald of Frazer; and numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Wilson and Josephine Jackson; her son, Joseph Wilson Howard; her grandson, Dallas Howard III; great-granddaughter, Jessica Keiser; brothers, Maynard Jackson Sr. and Darrell Jackson Sr.; sisters Pearl Bird, Farrell Strahs, and Marilyn Steele; brother-in-laws, Sidney Bird, Lonnie Steele Sr., and John Doney; nieces, nephews, cousins too many to list.
Merle was the most loving mother, aunt, grandmother and friend, she will be missed by all that loved her.
Funeral service will be held Monday, January 18, 2016 at Frazer Hall with Father Martin Officiating burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Frazer.
Winter says
I love you auntie tell my dad I miss for me gonna miss you rip auntie
Jonny BearCub says
I always believed Auntie Merle was one of the prettiest women from the East end. She always had this smile which made me wonder what she was thinking – whatever it was it must be fun! Auntie – when you get to heaven say hello to all our relatives for those of us left behind – I will miss your smile. Sorry I couldn’t be there to say goodbye but I am on the road coming back home from ND.
Isabel says
I’m so very sorry for your loss. It is evident that she was a good and kind person, loved and appreciated by many. I recently lost someone close to me and can appreciate the heartache words cannot describe. With that in mind, I am moved to share with you a thought that helped me through the pain. That is the words of Jesus himself in the book of John, chapter 5 and verse 28, 29. He said ‘Do not be amazed at this. For the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice, and come out.’ I was so relieved to know the bible talks about an earthly resurrection; a time of peace when we will see our loved ones again in perfect conditions according to God’s own will. I encourage you to hold on to that hope and learn more. It is my sincere wish that learning of this will give you the comfort it gave me.