Mary Lou Clapp was born in Pittsburgh, PA on February 25th, 1935, to Eleanor Jackson and Hashi Farrar of Yemen. Her parents met while they were members of a Muslim congregation where her grandfather Elijah Martin was the Imam. As a child, her grandfather Elijah Martin and Grandmother Rose Fleming Martin—who were raised in Alabama as members of the Presbyterian church but later converted to Islam—introduced her to the Quran. She accepted Christ as a teen while attending Baptist Temple Church in the Homewood section of Pittsburgh, where she studied religious education (a class within the public school system held at different churches in the area) under Rev. James A. Williams. After several sessions Rev. Williams later said, "he cast the hook and he reeled her to Christ." Her curiosity got the best of her. She soon discovered that many chapters in the Bible are also in the Quran. At the age of seventeen she accepted Christ as her personal savior, joined Baptist Temple and was Baptized.

Mary Lou was educated in the public schools of Allegheny County (Crescent Elementary, Baxter Junior High) graduating in January 1953, from Westinghouse High School with honors. While in High School, Mary Lou's love of literature lead her to volunteer in the school's library, become the Business Manager of the Bulldog staff, Student Council Representative, and Social Chairman. Mary Lou also expressed herself in music by playing first string as a violinist with the school orchestra. Sports were a major part of her life. Softball became one of her favorite hobbies. For four years she played right field for one of the community softball teams. She also ran track. She would continue her education throughout her life by taking courses at Guilford Technical Institute (GTCC), and The Dunn & Bradstreet Corporate Foundation.

In 1963, Mary Lou began her career with Sears, Roebuck and Co. as a part time employee and would be hired in 1966 full time. This was an achievement for this northerner because Sears did not have many 'Negroes' in their employment. Mary Lou received many awards, certificates, and commendations for being an outstanding employee and would be promoted to a financial analyst supervisor with Sears Commercial Credit. After the Commercial Credit division relocated to Albany, Georgia, she was offered a new position in the state. Mary Lou decided to remain in North Carolina, sacrificing her professional aspirations. After being recruited by a former manager, she joined the collections department at Vanguard Cellular One and retired after six years of service.

Retirement allowed Mary Lou to focus more on her church, community, and the environment. As a member of the steering committee for the Concerned Citizens of North East Greensboro, known as Citizens for Economic and Environmental Justice (CEEJ), she worked to keep the White St. Landfill closed for the future growth of Greensboro, built a grocery store and library on Phillips Ave, which they were successful in completing. She was a member of the Greensboro Branch of the NAACP.

She spent ten years at the Guilford County Board of Elections, first setting up voting precincts, then coordinating Election Day operations for nine sites, including Trinity AME Zion Church, all while focusing on voter education and civic engagement. Mary Lou made sure every house in her subdivision received voting guides, answered any questions about the ballot and issues of importance to her community along with encouragement to vote.

Mary Lou volunteered for years as a proctor for Dudley High School until she was unable to do so, due to an accident in 2017.

Mary Lou's love for God was number one in her life and no matter what was happening in her life she made attending church and being an active participant a priority. While visiting relatives in Greensboro, N.C. her brother-in-law told her about his minister, Rev. Cecil Bishop who was also from Pittsburgh, Pa. He had arrived in 1960, shortly before Harold and Mary Lou moved to Greensboro. Mary Lou transferred her membership from Baptist Temple and joined Trinity AME Zion Church on November 15, 1961, under Rev. Cecil Bishop. Trinity was located at Washington and Gilmer Street. Shortly after becoming a member the land for the current building was purchased on Florida Street and the new church was built for the pleasure of all the members.

As a member of Trinity, she was blessed to meet and be mentored by some of the most wonderful people, Mrs. Gertrude Meddling, Nan Bowling & Mrs. Willie McLaughlin. They were people who worked hard to make sure all adults under their leadership learned not only about serving God but how to support our church and help younger women desire to walk in their footsteps. These women actively "encouraged", all that would listen to join various organizations.

That is how Mary Lou became a member of some of the following organizations, Board of Trustees, Cathedral Choir which would become the Sanctuary choir under the direction of Dr. Charlotte Alston, Choir Mother's Guild, Class Leader, Connectional Lay Council, Daughters of Conference, God's Own Praise Team, Gospel Choir, Half Century Club, Health Ministry Outreach Program, Life Members Council, Life Matron Mission Outreach, Music Committee, Prison Ministry, Stewardess Board #2, West Central Conference Choir, Women's Day Committee. Under the direction of Mrs. Wilhelmina Bishop, the Trinity Gospel Singers was formed, an album produced, and Mary Lou was consecrated as a National Gospel Singer in the AME Zion Church. Mary Lou was an exceptional daughter, sister, and student.

Mary Lou Clapp ascended from this world December 19, 2025. Mary Lou was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to many. She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Eugene Woodrow Keeton, brothers, (Cleveland "Butch" Martin, Wade "Sandy" Plain), sisters, (Marline Rose "Molly" Lyons Patterson and Janet Sherman Garrett).

Cherishing her memory are her husband, Harold Clapp, daughter, Sylvia Clapp-White (Virgil), three grandchildren, Virgil E. White II, Courtney L. Keeton, Candace L. Keeton, great-grandchildren, Jayden E. White and Brielle A. White, brother, Paul T. Lyons, (Pittsburgh, Pa), sister, Jacqueline Jackson Hardy (Moss Point, MS), special nephew, Brian Campbell; as well as many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Mary Lou always distinguished herself from others through her unwavering perseverance, diligence, and determination. She was especially grateful to God for placing not only family members in her life but so many others who loved the Lord and encouraged others that love the Lord, to walk in their footsteps.

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Those we love don't go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near

A homegoing celebration will be held on Friday, December 26, 2025 in Trinity AME Zion Church, 631 E. Florida Street, Greensboro; visitation with the family begins at 11:30 am followed by the service at 12:00 pm.  Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Park.