Obituaries

Mickey was born October 30, 1933, to James & Florence Clapper of Milwaukee, WI. She graduated from West High School in Milwaukee at the age of 16 and married Richard (Dick) Klenz April 23, 1950.
When her husband was appointed postal inspector, they were transferred to Duluth, Washington DC, Memphis, and San Francisco, settling upon his retirement in Memphis.
In Duluth, she was a leader of Job’s Daughters, a youth organization for girls and young women, and in Washington DC she served as a volunteer at Walter Reed Hospital. She supported Mothers of the Nile, an organization dedicated to reducing the number of children entering the juvenile justice system, and was selected Mother of the Year in 2016. Mickey was active in the Shelby County Democratic Party and served four years as the president of Shelby County Democratic Women. She sang in the choir and served as a circle leader for United Methodist Women at Christ United Methodist Church where she was a receptionist and frequent volunteer.
Mickey is survived by her husband of 71 years, Dick, their three children, Rick Klenz, Jan (Chip) Averwater, and Vicky Lyon, and grandchildren Susan Klenz, C J (Heather) Averwater, Robbie Averwater, and Lee Averwater, and two great grandchildren, all of whom live in the Memphis area.
Visitation will be 10 am, Tuesday, August 17 in the Wilson Chapel of Christ United Methodist Church at 4488 Poplar Ave, followed by the funeral at 11 am.
Entombment at Serenity Columbarium and Memorial Garden, 1662 Sycamore View Rd., Memphis, TN 38134.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Camp Chambers (https://campchambers.com/about), teaching life skills to Mid-South youth; or Planned Parenthood (https://weareplannedparenthood.org).
Serenity Funeral Home, 1638 Sycamore View Rd., Memphis, TN 38134, Tel. (901)379-0861.
Previous Events
Visitation
17
Aug
4488 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38117
Service
17
Aug
4488 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38117
Cemetery Details
Location
1662 Sycamore View Rd.
Memphis , TN 38134