Barbara Anne Rouse Clarke

Barbara Anne Rouse Clarke, 72, of Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 13, 2025, at the Crystal Coast Hospice House.

The family will host a viewing on Friday, October 17th, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Munden Funeral Home in Morehead City. We welcome you to join us there and then the following morning, a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, October 18th at St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church in Salter Path, NC. The family will host a reception following the service in the Parish Hall of St. Francis. Interment will be held later that day at 3 p.m. at Westview Cemetery in Kinston, NC. For those unable to attend Anne's funeral service, it can be viewed through her obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website. 

Barbara, known to all by her middle name, Anne, was the fourth child of the late Carrie Nunn Williams Rouse and Randall Rex Rouse, Sr. of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Anne was a graduate of Needham Broughton High School (1971) and East Carolina University (1975), earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech, Language, and Auditory Pathology. She began her career in Johnston County, NC, before moving to Maryland with her husband, where she worked as a Mom and educator for nearly twelve years. In 1991, the family relocated to New Jersey, where Anne attended Kean University to become certified as a Teacher of the Handicapped. She found deep fulfillment teaching at The Midland School (Branchburg, NJ), where her compassion and skill helped children with special needs discover the joy of reading.

After returning home to North Carolina in 2000, Anne continued her work in education with the Carteret County Public Schools, where she thrived as a middle school teacher and long-term substitute. She retired in 2008 alongside her husband John, and together they embraced life on the Crystal Coast—volunteering, serving on local boards, and enjoying the beach community they loved so dearly. She enjoyed her time working with the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) serving women seeking to improve their lives by obtaining additional education.

Anne’s lifelong love of music led her to the choir at St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church, where her beautiful voice lifted many hearts.

In her later years, Anne faced dementia of the Alzheimer’s type with grace and courage. In 2023, she entered the Memory Care unit at Carteret Landing, where she received compassionate and attentive care. Her family is deeply grateful for the kindness and devotion shown to her there as well as at the Crystal Coast Hospice House where she lived her final days.

Anne will be remembered for her radiant smile, gentle humor, devotion to family, spirited and passionate approach to life, and the many young lives she touched through teaching. Her legacy is one of love, patience, and joy shared freely with others. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Francis by the Sea, Salter Path, NC, The P.E.O. Sisterhood, Crystal Coast Hospice House, Alzheimer’s Association, or the charity of your choice.

She is survived by her devoted husband, John Henry Clarke, Jr. of Pine Knoll Shores, NC; her daughter, Jessica Clarke Robles of Annapolis, MD, (late husband Oscar), grandchildren Camila and Dylan; her son, John Randall Rouse Clarke and wife Colleen of Whitehouse Station, NJ, and grandchildren J.R. and Mary Grace.

Anne is also survived by her sister, Gaille Rouse Smith (late husband Houston), nephew, Edward (wife Susan), niece, Kim Smith; sister, Carrie Williams Rouse Witter (husband Gary), niece, Rebecca Witter-Visser (husband Theo), and nephew, Matthew Witter (wife Courtney); sister-in-law, Judy Grogan Rouse, and nephew, Victor Rouse (wife Deanna); sister-in-law, Juanita Lanning (husband Pete); brother-in-law, James Clarke; and brother-in-law, Joel Clarke (wife Jacqueline), and niece Katherine Grace.

Anne was predeceased by her beloved brother, Rex Rouse of Eden, NC. Anne’s extended family of cousins and their children—many of whom have gone before her—remains a cherished part of her story.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.