Clara Lou Malenick

Clara Lou Perkins Malenick departed this life for her home in Heaven on March 13, 2025, one week short of her 93rd birthday at her home 8913 Early Street in Manassas. Born Clara Blanch Bryant on March 21, 1932, she was three weeks old when her birth mother died. The next three weeks were spent on her neighbor’s oven door before adoption by John and Anna Perkins of Sam Black Church (Clintonville) WV and her name changed to Clara Lou. This being the year of the depression – her adopted brother J. Elbert Perkins said “they were depressed ever since”. Clara Lou attended school at Crawley, then Smoot High School (class of 1950 Valedictorian), Concord College (B.S. in Education) and later the University of Virginia for her Master of Education degree in 1970. Clara Lou often made it a point to work with children when learned they were adopted. She never met a child that she could not teach. She often said “she had birth parents and sisters, a step mother, adopted parents and an adopted brother and sister”. Clara Lou wanted to be a doctor but became a teacher. Her teaching career started (1952/1953) in a 6/8 grade one room school; ages 6 to 16 at Quinwood/Creighton WV. She taught both the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s and dealt with far greater conflicts than those that started over a pig. She also taught special needs children while integrating them into a regular classroom. After 40 plus years of teaching and substituting in multiple counties of West Virginia moving to Virginia in 1963 to join the Prince William County school system, Lynchburg and later Manassas City schools -- Clara Lou retired after teaching three generations of students. Her classrooms were often referred to as the United Nations. While attending Concord College Clara Lou met her future husband Paul Steven Malenick; known as Paul to his family yet at Concord chose to go by Steve. They married December 22, 1957 and celebrated 67 years of marriage this past December (2024). Their two daughters; Anna Lee and Carolyn Sue were both born in Iaeger, WV (McDowell County). Thus the values of “Up on the Hill” (Farm – Greenbrier County) merged with “Down on the Creek” (Coal Mines – Fayette County) in wild wonderful West Virginia. Clara Lou loved her West Virginia history. Looking Back Clara Lou wrote and often stated “Growing up in the 1930’s we were poor, and I didn’t know it. There was always food on the table – raised on the farm and supplemented by the garden, Mom’s chickens and eggs. We had cherries, apples peaches and wild berries to pick. We would walk to church for morning and evening services – looking forward to revival meetings. Yes, we were poor, but I have rich memories. Poor in fact but wealthy in spirit.” It is in keeping with this same spirit, the family has chosen to celebrate Clara Lou’s transfer to Heaven with rich memories. The family will receive guests at their home: 8913 Early Street, Manassas VA on Friday evening, April 25th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm (food, music and fellowship) followed on Saturday, April 26th with a “Celebration of Life – Church Style Service” at 10 am at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110. A meal will follow the service.

Clara Lou Malenick

March 21, 1932 - March 13, 2025