Beverly Clouse

“An Endearing Heart”

After spending time with Beverly in preparation for this article, I could see that she had an “endearing heart.” Some things were very special to her, especially her family history of which she is extremely proud. Before I share with you about her family history, I would like to share a little about Beverly herself.

Beverly was born on May 6, 1938 in Oklahoma City. She grew up around the oil fields of Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. Beverly ended up raising four children who gave her nine grandchildren who gave her sixteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Beverly lives in Seadrift and has served the Seadrift Methodist Church for over thirty years. She has served in Vacation Bible Schools and the “Feed My Sheep” food distribution program at the church. Beverly has also served as an usher and liturgist. She loves being in the church’s chimes program.

Some of Beverly’s family history dates back to the American Revolutionary War! Four of her ancestors served in the Revolutionary War. In the Civil War, she had ancestors who served on both sides of the war. During World War 1, Beverly’s maternal grandfather and her great uncle were enlisted soldiers. World War II found Beverly’s two uncles, Wallace Pence and Harold Varley, as enlisted soldiers. Harold was a translator in the Army and saw firsthand the after-effects of the war at the Dacau Concentration Camp. Also, during World War II, Beverly’s husband, Howard Clouse, served in the Navy as a tail-gunner on a fighter plane in the South Pacific.

Beverly recalls the most beautiful sight she has beheld was coming back to the States after being in Germany with her husband on a military tour. She said she was overwhelmed at the sight of being back in America as the plane neared the New Jersey coastline.

The picture of Beverly wearing a uniform dress was taken when she was five years old. Her maternal grandmother made it for her. It was a replica of a women’s Army uniform with her uncle Harold’s patch from his military unit. The other picture of Beverly was taken at her Seadrift residence. She is holding that same dress she wore as a child!