Pickens County woman receives high civilian award

A lifelong Pickens County resident, Mable Owens Clarke, recently was awarded South Carolina’s highest civilian award–the Order of the Palmetto.  That award recognized Clarke for her work in the Liberia community and the Soapstone Baptist Church.  Liberia dates back to 1865 and denotes it was created by a group of more than 600 newly freed slaves as a place of community, worship and freedom.  Clarke and her family have kept the doors of the church open and maintain what is the heartbeat of the community.  Thursday morning, December 1, at 11 o’clock, Clemson OLLI will host a free speaker event to highlight Clarke and her achievements.  Those who would like to hear her story–and hear from her herself–are invited.