On Sunday, April 26, 2009, Julia Arnold Clews went to see the Lord at 2:45 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. She passed in her sleep at the Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, Md. Two memorial services will be held to celebrate her fulfilling and Christ-centered life of 97 years.
The first of two services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, at the Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, 1621 Jefferson Davis Highway, Fredericksburg, Va. 22401. There will be a gathering time for family and friends at 10 a.m. After the service a burial will take place in Pohick Cemetery in Lorton.
The second service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 28, at the Asbury Methodist Village Guild Memorial Chapel, 211 Russell Ave., Gaithersburg, Md. 20877.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Julia’s honor to the Asbury Benevolent Care Fund, c/o AMV Foundation, 201 Russell Ave., Gaithersburg, Md. 20877.
Julia was born in Brentwood, Md., the daughter of Abbie Dishman Arnold and Isaac David Arnold. She started teaching Sunday school at age 13 at the Meth-odist church, that was one block from where she lived.
At age 16, Julia entered the University of Maryland. She was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Women’s Fraternity, a Greek social organization, which is still predominant in many institutions of higher learning today. She graduated from the University of Maryland at age 19.
Julia taught English and music at the high school le-vel for six years. She was talented, creative and comfortable in her teaching positions, most of which were in Laurel, Md.
In June of 1937, she married the Rev. W. Hedley Clews, a Methodist minister, whom she met while he was serving in her hometown of Brentwood. Julia left teaching to assume the many re-sponsibilities of being a minister’s wife. Her many talents, including teaching and music, served her well in this capacity. She and her husband blended their talents as a team in ministry for more than 40 years.
They began service in the Virginia Conference of the Methodist Church, in places such as Mint Spring, Portsmouth, Chase City and Cherrydale. It is difficult to try to enumerate the bevy of contributions that Julia made to Hedley’s ministry. One would include an exciting and creative Vacation Bible School leadership many times in Virginia.
Julia was totally dedicated to Christian education, but had other interests equally dear to her heart: One was love of art and art appreciation; the other was a theory regarding devotional influence.
She founded many devotional groups during Hedley’s many charges. One was a Tuesday morning intercessory prayer meeting known as “Prayer Lift” that she and Dorothy Kirkley at St. Paul’s Kensington created.
Throughout their ministry, Julia and Hedley were supportive of Induk Pahk, a missionary from Korea. In 1954, Induk published the book “September Monkey,” describing her heart-stirring and lively dream to establish a school. Julia planned and hosted events known as Epiphany parties sponsored by spiritual enrichment groups to raise funds to support the school. In 1964, Induk founded a school in Seoul, South Korea, known as Berea. The school was successful, and Induk fulfilled her dream. The school still exists today, in part because of the faithful support Julia and Hedley provided throughout their ministry.
Julia was at Hedley’s side for great ministries at these United Methodist churches: Trinity Church in Baltimore, Md., from 1947 through 1954; and at Catonsville Church from 1954 to 1962; St. Luke’s Church in Washington, D.C., from 1962 to 1970; University Park Church from 1970 to 1974; and St. Paul’s Church in Kensington, Md. Hedley served as an Associate Pastor at St. Paul’s from 1974 until his death in 1979. Julia utilized her abundant spiritual talents in the same capacity during these charges.
After her husband’s death, Julia lived in Fredericksburg for 10 years. She was active in the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church women’s group, a member of the Adventurer’s Sunday School class, and rendered spiritual leadership in Bible studies and prayer groups. She was also active in hospice support care in the city of Fredericksburg. Her strong Christian faith and relationship with Jesus provided inspiration for many, including her family.
Julia and Hedley reared one son, Hedley Vickers, born in 1945, who now lives in Sa-lem, Ore. Julia also leaves her loving legacy to three wonderful grandchildren, all overachievers in whom Julia took great pride. Dawnine is the eldest, born in 1976; Tara was the next granddaughter, born in 1979, and the youngest was Carson, the grandson, born in 1985.
To send a condolence to the family, please visit mullinsthompson.com.