Obituary of Louise Clark Mayes

Louise Clark was born on February 18, 1935, in Tazewell, Tennessee. She was one of six children born to the union of Roy Clark and Madeline (Noe) Clark.  Louise attended Monroe High School, graduating with the class of 1953. Louise later furthered her education by taking classes at Monroe County Community College.  She worked as a social worker for the State of Michigan for more than twelve years before retiring in 1992.

On November 26, 1955, in Monroe, Louise married the love of her life, Aaron Mayes and together the couple was blessed with one son and two daughters.  Louise was a very artistic person and enjoyed painting, reading, and watching Joel Osteen. She was blessed with a green thumb and loved spending time outdoors tending to her beautiful flower garden. She enjoyed cooking and made homemade lasagna, stir frys, and salads; helping her husband prepare food for all the weekend family picnics.  

Louise was a very generous, family and home oriented individual.  She was a stickler for teaching her children manners, etiquette, and morals. 

Louise Clark Mayes, age 89 of Monroe passed away on Thursday; September 20, 2024, at Brookdale Assisted Living under the care of Heartland Hospice. Her passing was preceded by her parents; her husband of fifty-four years: Aaron Mayes on September 14, 2010; her granddaughter: Nora Mayes; two sons-in-law: John Simmons and Thomas Gerhardt; a brother: Roy Clark; a sister: Karen Bryam; and a brother-in-law: Gene Merritt.

To cherish Louise’s memory she leaves her two daughters: Dawn Simmons of Carleton, Michigan and Julie Gerhardt of Monroe, Michigan; a son: Kevin (Denise) Mayes Sr; a sister: Carol Merritt of Carleton; two brothers: Jack (Myra) Clark of Monroe and Earl Clark of Kentucky; eight grandchildren:  Aaron (Susan) Mayes, Kevin Mayes Jr., Rodney Mayes, Korey Mayes, April (Jason) Snider, Rachel Simmons, Nicole (Andrew) Blair, and Kyle Gibson; fifteen great grandchildren: Joselyn, Aron, Julie, Madelyn, Rodney Jr., Devin, Nickolas, Aubrey, Lauren, Alec, Aniyah, Adriana, Aria, Alayna, and Alivia.

Friends may gather from 4:00pm until 6:00pm on Monday; September 23, 2024, at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Louise’s Life will begin at 6:00pm also at Merkle’s with Pastor BJ McDaniel of One Way Christian Fellowship officiating. Cremation will take place through Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan, a division of Merkle Enterprises, Inc.

For those desiring, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.