- Date Of Birth: June 12, 1947
- Date Of Death: February 10, 2023
- State: Nebraska
Elizabeth Pargo was born on June 12, 1947, in Crittenden County, Arkansas, to the late Earnestine Clements and William Clements. She was the first born of 10 children.
Elizabeth learned how to cook at an early age. She spent much of her childhood helping her mother take care of her sisters and brothers. She shared an especially close relationship with all of them.
In Elizabeth’s younger years, she loved playing games with her siblings. Her favorites included jump rope, hula hoop, hopscotch, jacks, and hide and seek.
She met John Henry Pargo in the early 1970’s. They made their home in Homestead, Florida, working various jobs. The couple decided to move to Omaha in 1973. They married, but the exact date remains unknown. They enjoyed traveling extensively. Elizabeth’s three children, Louise, Freddie and Marilyn, were given his last name, Pargo. John passed on January 17, 1985, and daughter Louise Clements Pargo passed on November 26, 2008.
Elizabeth worked several jobs in Omaha including: machine operator at Tip Top Rollers, assembly line at Frito Lay, Blue Star, and Meat Department Manager at Sunshine Market until the store closed in 1984.
Around 1994, Elizabeth met her long-time companion and friend, Jewel Combes. She loved Jewel and appreciated his company. He loved her as well, until his passing on December 17, 2011.
Elizabeth was a woman of faith, and was baptized down South. She loved God, Gospel music, and Minister T. D. Jakes. She often said, “If I live to see tomorrow…” and is best remembered with these words, “Put it in God’s hands.
Elizabeth never met a stranger. Once you meet her, you had a lifetime friend. She was sweet to everyone, and many referred to her as “Big Mama.”
Her hobbies included playing cards with family and friends, of which Spades was her favorite. Elizabeth also loved to listen to Gospel and Blues music, and was known to sing along. And she could bust a move, too…!
Tyler Perry movies and television shows were her favorites, along with Family Feud. She was a great puzzle solver on Wheel of Fortune. Let’s Make A Deal, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, along with westerns, were on her watching radar. When enjoying football or basketball, she was known to cheer for both teams. LOL
Elizabeth spent her entire life being a caregiver. Her legacy includes 60 grands! – 14 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, John Henry Pargo; grandmother, Eliza Dorsey; parents, Earnestine Clements and Carl William Clements, Sr.; daughter, Louise Clements Pargo; brother, James Clements; sisters, Glossie Towner and Rubistine “Ruby” Clements; grandson, Dallas Richie; great-grandson, Levi Brown; aunt, Christine Cothran; uncles, Mitchell Dorsey and Anthony Dorsey; nephews, Kieth Clements and Jason Rodrigues; niece, Cynthia Clements; cousin, Robert Dorsey; and longtime companion, Jewel Combes.
She leaves to cherish her memories, son, Freddie Pargo (Omaha, NE); daughter, Marilyn Pargo Brown (Houston, TX); siblings, Pastor Carl (Dora) Clements, (Rockford, IL), Willie (Ludovice “Dee”) Clements (Elgin, IL), Charles Clements (Elgin, IL), Betty (Nick) Donald, (Elgin, IL), Gale Clements (Omaha, NE), and Lorraine (James) Rice (Elgin, IL), Ronnie Clements (Texarkana County, TX), Tencil Clements (Memphis, TN) and Cathy Ann Clements (Memphis, TN).
Her legacy lives on in her grandchildren; John Henry Pargo, Laticia Pargo, Kornelius (Laquilla) Pargo, Marquis (Heather) Pargo, A. Aerykka Brown, Elwin Brown, Steven Brown, Jr., Rochelle Brown, Cecilia Brown Rhodes, Freddie Thomas, Jalisa Thomas, Shavantay Thomas, Dakiesha Thomas, Kendra Thomas; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends, too numerous to mention.
