Who Is Homerline Wells Clower? The Quiet Force Behind American Comedy Legend Jerry Clower

Homerline Wells Clower was the soft-spoken, deeply faithful Mississippi woman best known as the wife of American country-comedy icon Jerry Clower. While her husband became a household name as “The Mouth of Mississippi,” performing on the Grand Ole Opry and producing nearly thirty albums, Homerline quietly built a legacy of her own through ministry, service, and devotion to her family. Her life was shaped by strong Christian values, a profound commitment to teaching children, and an unwavering presence behind Jerry’s success. From her early years in East Fork to her final days surrounded by family, she lived a grounded, humble lifestyle that left a powerful impact on her community. This full biography explores her background, marriage, faith, character, and lasting influence.

Quick Bio

Category	Details
Full Name	Doris Homerline Wells Clower
Known For	Wife of comedian Jerry Clower, influential church leader, Sunday School teacher
Date of Birth	March 8, 1926
Place of Birth	East Fork, Amite County, Mississippi, USA
Date of Death	January 20, 2018
Age at Death	91 (sometimes referenced as 92)
Place of Death	East Fork, Amite County, Mississippi
Burial	East Fork Cemetery, Mississippi
Nationality	American
Religion	Southern Baptist / Christian
Parents	Father: Homer Ebenezer Wells (1892–1974) Mother: Eleanor Marie Parker Wells (1898–1980)
Siblings	Helen Geraldine “Gerri” Wells Roberts, Randy Wells
Education	Southwest Mississippi Community College; University of Southern Mississippi
Occupation	Sunday School Teacher, Bible Memory Leader, Financial Secretary (25 years)
Church Membership	First Baptist Church Yazoo; East Fork Baptist Church
Husband	Howard Gerald “Jerry” Clower (m. 1947–1998)
Children	Ray Moore Clower (1953–2011), Amy Elmore, Sue Hall, Katy Johnson
Grandchildren	Jayree, Payne, Marie, Mary Paige, Ellie, Will, Dustin, Kristen
Great-Grandchildren	Cooper Johnson, Elizabeth Vander Molen
Notable Traits	Quiet, humble, deeply faithful, private personality
Legacy	Influenced generations through ministry; preserved Jerry Clower’s legacy; respected faith leader

Early Life and Family Background

Homerline Wells Clower was born on March 8, 1926, in the close-knit East Fork community of Amite County, Mississippi. Her upbringing reflected the rhythms of rural southern life—church-centered, family-oriented, hardworking, and deeply rooted in Christian tradition. Growing up in East Fork shaped her values early on. Neighbors remembered the Wells family as warm, steady, and involved in community life, and those qualities became essential parts of Homerline’s personality.

Her childhood unfolded on the farmland and wooded roads of Amite County, where simplicity was a way of life and faith was woven into every daily routine. The small churches, the extended family gatherings, and the sense of community responsibility greatly influenced her eventual path as a Sunday School teacher and ministry leader.

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Parents

Father

Her father, Homer Ebenezer Wells (1892–1974), carried a quiet strength and work ethic characteristic of his generation. Growing up during a period defined by agricultural labor and local community ties, he passed down to his children the values of humility, discipline, and religious grounding.

Mother

Her mother, Eleanor Marie Parker Wells (1898–1980), provided the nurturing presence that shaped Homerline’s gentle, warm personality. Eleanor was remembered for her kindness and consistency—qualities that Homerline embodied throughout her life, especially in her decades of ministry with children.

Together, her parents built a home where faith, service, and family duty were central pillars. These values later defined Homerline’s marriage, motherhood, and contributions to the East Fork community.

Siblings and Extended Family

Homerline grew up alongside siblings who remained close throughout their lives. Her sister, Helen Geraldine “Gerri” Wells Roberts, and her brother, Randy Wells, were significant figures in her life. Their family ties extended into a wide network of relatives in Amite County, forming a supportive structure that continued into adulthood.

Her brother-in-law, Ken Roberts, also played a part in the extended family unit before his passing. These relationships reinforced the strong sense of community and identity that Homerline maintained until her final years.

Education and Academic Journey

Education was a meaningful part of Homerline’s early life. After completing her schooling in Amite County, she attended Southwest Mississippi Community College, marking one of her first steps outside the East Fork community. Later, she continued her studies at the University of Southern Mississippi, further strengthening her academic and personal foundation.

Her pursuit of education reflected her lifelong dedication to learning—a dedication she later passed on to the children she taught in schools and at church. Her academic journey also prepared her for her early career in education and her long-term service as a church administrator and teacher.

Early Career and Teaching Work

Before her decades of ministry in the church, Homerline worked as a teacher in the Beach Stand and Mars Hill schools. These were small, community-centered institutions typical of Mississippi’s rural landscape during the mid-20th century. Teaching allowed her to develop her gifts for patience, compassion, and connection with young people. Even in her early twenties, she had a calm presence and the ability to guide students with gentle authority.

Her teaching career, though not long in duration, set the stage for what would become her life’s greatest impact: shaping the lives of children and youth through faith-based instruction.

Faith, Ministry, and Church Leadership

Faith was the heart of everything in Homerline’s life. For many years she was a devoted member of First Baptist Church Yazoo, and after moving back to Amite County, she became a lifelong member of East Fork Baptist Church.

Her contributions were extensive and deeply meaningful. She served as a Sunday School teacher, where she taught biblical lessons with warmth and clarity. As a Bible Memory Leader, she helped imprint Scripture into the hearts of children—many of whom carried those teachings well into adulthood. She also held a role on the pastor search committee, demonstrating the trust her church placed in her judgment and faithfulness.

Perhaps her most significant administrative role was serving as financial secretary for twenty-five years, a position that required accuracy, integrity, and dedication. Her reputation for honesty made her a perfect fit. To this day, many in the community remember her steady presence in the church office and her willingness to help however she could.

Personality, Character, and Public Image

Despite her husband’s national fame, Homerline preferred a life of privacy and simplicity. People described her as gentle, soft-spoken, and steady. She never sought attention or recognition, and even during moments of public interest—such as after Jerry’s death—she avoided interviews whenever possible.

Her humility became one of her most defining traits. When a reporter visited her home, she famously said, “I don’t do interviews,” a sentence that perfectly captured her personality. She was not cold or unfriendly—simply private, modest, and uninterested in spotlight.

Her days were filled with quiet activities: watching the Atlanta Braves, reading for enjoyment, and studying her Bible. These habits reflected a peaceful lifestyle rooted in faith and personal fulfillment rather than outward achievement.

How She Met Jerry Clower

Homerline and Jerry’s love story began during their youth in Mississippi. They were high-school sweethearts, two young people from the same region who shared the same cultural and spiritual foundations. Their connection was strong, natural, and rooted in shared values.

In 1947, when Homerline was twenty-one, they married—beginning a partnership that would last fifty years. Their marriage became the steady force behind Jerry’s long, demanding career.

Marriage to Jerry Clower

Their wedding took place in August 1947 in Hancock County, Mississippi. The ceremony marked the beginning of a life defined by deep loyalty, unwavering support, and contrasting personalities. Jerry was flamboyant, loud, bold, and charismatic. Homerline was gentle, quiet, and thoughtful. Together, they balanced each other perfectly.

For decades, Jerry performed nationwide, recorded albums, and eventually became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Throughout it all, Homerline provided a stable foundation at home. She handled responsibilities, raised their children, and kept their private life grounded while Jerry embraced the public spotlight.

Even though she rarely made public appearances with him, she supported every step of his journey from salesperson to nationally recognized entertainer.

Who Was Her Husband, Jerry Clower?

Understanding Homerline’s life requires understanding her husband. Jerry Clower—born on September 28, 1926—rose to prominence as one of America’s most beloved storytellers. After serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Bennington, he earned three battle stars and a presidential citation for bravery.

He later attended Mississippi State University, played football there, and eventually became first a county agent, then a fertilizer salesman. When he began telling humorous stories to customers, his natural comedic gift emerged. By the early 1970s, he was signed by MCA Records and released “Jerry Clower from Yazoo City, Mississippi Talkin’,” which became a gold record. His routines about the Ledbetter family and rural southern life became iconic.

He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1973 and remained a fixture until his death in 1998. Throughout this journey, Homerline was his anchor.

Family Life and Children

The Clowers raised four children together:

• Ray Clower, born in 1953, who later died in 2011
• Amy Elmore
• Sue Hall
• Katy Johnson

As adults, their daughters built families of their own, giving Homerline a growing legacy of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She cherished her family deeply and maintained close relationships with them. For many years, her daughter Katy lived next door, offering companionship and daily support.

Holiday gatherings, church events, and family celebrations were central parts of her life. Her children often spoke of her strength, especially after Jerry’s death. They remembered her as the one who comforted them during emotional moments and helped them navigate grief.

Life After Jerry Clower’s Death

When Jerry passed away on August 24, 1998, the small town of Liberty mourned deeply, and so did Homerline. Yet true to her character, she processed her grief privately. She continued attending church, hosting family, and maintaining a quiet daily routine.

Reporters who attempted to interview her often found her reluctance remained unchanged. She answered politely but briefly, preferring to keep her emotions and memories within the family circle.

Homerline continued to care for the small museum on her property that held Jerry’s memorabilia—from his Mississippi State football jersey to his Superman costume photo and keys to numerous cities. She preserved his legacy with respect while living a simple, peaceful life.

Net Worth and Lifestyle

While no financial details were publicly disclosed about her personal net worth, it is clear that Homerline lived a modest, grounded lifestyle. Her priorities were her faith, family, and church—not material wealth or public image. Even after Jerry’s national success, the Clowers remained committed to their Mississippi roots, choosing a quiet country lifestyle over celebrity excess.

Her home in East Fork—built on the land where she grew up—became her sanctuary in later years. There, she lived surrounded by memories, Scripture, and the presence of her children and grandchildren.

Physical Appearance and Personality

Descriptions of her from acquaintances and reporters portray a neatly dressed, composed woman. During one visit, she appeared in a green pantsuit, white blouse, and dark sandals, with her gray hair swept away from her face. Her quiet smile and soft tone left a lasting impression.

Her personality was marked by humility, faith, and gentle strength. Even though she shared her life with a man known nationwide for his booming voice and colorful suits, she maintained her calm and steady presence. She embodied Southern grace—the understated kind.

Public Perception and Community Respect

Within East Fork and Liberty, Homerline was admired for far more than being Jerry Clower’s wife. She was known as a spiritual mentor, a devoted teacher, and an anchor for her church. Generations of children remembered her Bible Memory lessons, and many adults credited her influence with shaping their spiritual paths.

Those who interacted with the Clower family often pointed out how her quiet strength balanced Jerry’s extroverted personality. Community members recalled her warmth, kindness, and dignified presence. Even in private sorrow—such as after losing her husband, son, and grandson—she remained a source of inspiration.

Legacy and Influence

The legacy of Homerline Wells Clower continues through the countless lives she touched—children she taught, church members she guided, and family members she shaped. Her influence also lives on through the community that adored her husband. Behind every performance, every album, every Grand Ole Opry appearance, there was a supportive, steadfast wife who kept their home life grounded.

Her life reminds many of the power of quiet leadership—the kind rooted in service, love, and faith. Even after her passing on January 20, 2018, her presence remains strong in East Fork, where her memory is cherished.

Conclusion

The story of Homerline Wells Clower is one of humility, devotion, and quiet strength. While her husband achieved national fame as one of America’s greatest storytellers, she created a legacy just as powerful—one built through faith, teaching, loyalty, and love. Her life was a testament to the impact of gentle leadership and the enduring influence of a woman who lived her values every day. Today, she is remembered not only as the wife of Jerry Clower but as a beloved figure in her own right, whose ministry and character continue to inspire generations.

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FAQs

1. Who was Homerline Wells Clower?

She was the wife of comedian Jerry Clower and a respected Sunday School teacher, financial secretary, and Bible Memory Leader at East Fork Baptist Church.

2. When and where was Homerline Wells Clower born?

She was born on March 8, 1926, in the East Fork community of Amite County, Mississippi.

3. How many children did Homerline Wells Clower have?

She had four children: Ray, Amy, Sue, and Katy.

4. What was Homerline Wells Clower role in Jerry Clower’s success?

She provided emotional and spiritual support, maintained their home life, and balanced Jerry’s public life with her quiet strength.

5. When did Homerline Wells Clower pass away, and where is she buried?

She died on January 20, 2018, and is buried in East Fork Cemetery, Mississippi.

6. What did Homerline Wells Clower do for a living?

Homerline Wells Clower dedicated her life to Christian service, working as a Sunday School teacher, Bible Memory Leader, and long-time financial secretary at East Fork Baptist Church. Her influence shaped generations of children and families in her community.

7. Where did Homerline Wells Clower live most of her life?

She spent nearly her entire life in the East Fork community of Amite County, Mississippi—the same area where she was born, raised, built a home with Jerry Clower, and was eventually laid to rest.

8. What were the core values that defined Homerline Wells Clower’s life?

Her life was grounded in faith, humility, service, and devotion to family. Known for her quiet demeanor and strong Christian beliefs, she exemplified compassion, discipline, and unwavering commitment to her church and loved ones.

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