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Clare Pryse Zens, 78, of LaGrange, Georgia died July 25, 2021, following a severe fall.

She was born (Rosa Clare Pryse) in Albany, Georgia on July 24, 1943, to Kenneth Pryse and Rosa McGee Pryse.  They soon moved to Forsyth, Georgia where Clare grew up and the extended McGee family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins was very important to her.  After graduating from Mary Persons High School, she majored in French at Emory University and received a BA in 1965.  She taught French in an Atlanta high school one year and then joined the US Air Force, going to Officer Candidate School in Omaha, Nebraska, and served as intelligence officer in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.  She retired as an active Lt. Colonel, remaining in USAF Reserves, then went back to Emory University for a Master of Librarianship.  She became Assistant to the Director of Mercer University library in Macon, GA, and then Head of Technical Services at LaGrange Memorial Library in 1984, retiring in 2008. She was instrumental in starting a local chapter of Literacy Volunteers of America, tutored adults in reading, and was a tutor trainer.  Her hobbies were watching and feeding birds, traveling and reading extensively.  She volunteered at a free clinic called Troup County Cares for low-income working people who had no health insurance, and supported several environmental organizations and humanitarian charities.

Clare is survived by her brother, Kenneth Pryse (Chris); nephew, Paul Pryse; niece, Mary Pryse; former husband, Mike Zens; and extended family she was close to.

A celebration of her life for her LaGrange friends will be at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, LaGrange, Georgia on Friday, August 6, 2021 from 6-7 p.m. 

A small family burial will be in Forsyth, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, her family suggests that donations be made to humanitarian charities or environmental organizations.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com. Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, Georgia, 30240 (706) 884-8636