Elizabeth (Betty) Lee Knotter Clark, born January 9, 1928 in Selma, AL died Saturday, September 19, 2015. She was the daughter of the Rev. L. T. (Sr.) and Verna Lee Knotter. After living in a number of states as a child, she moved to Phoenix in 1948 and made the Valley her home for the rest of her life. She was a proud mother, a public school teacher, a person of strong faith, an advocate for the disabled, a world traveler and one who danced to her own tune. Following graduation from Arizona State College, Tempe with a degree in Elementary Education, she married Sheldon O. Clark, to whom she was married for 32 years. She taught for many years in the Creighton School District, teaching elementary school students at Squaw Peak and Loma Linda schools. She earned her M.Ed. from Northern Arizona University at the age of 64 and continued teaching fulltime until she was 70, after which she taught as a substitute for another ten years. She was an active community volunteer supporting many important organizations, including the Boy and Girl Scouts, her church, Special Olympics, the Arizona Foundation for the Handicapped and the Devonshire Senior Center. She loved outdoor Arizona, especially Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, and Native American arts and crafts. She is survived by her children, W. Mark (Stacy), Jeff (Jackie), Nancy L. C. Steele (Bruce) and Chris (Carol); nine grandchildren; and, seven great grandchildren. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of The Hospice of Valley’s Ryan House. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to First Congregational UCC Church, Phoenix or Desert Botanical Garden. A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, September 27, 2015 at First Congregational UCC Church, 1407 N. 2nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.
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