Clarice “Annett” Cobb Butler Nago

Clarice Nago Main Photo (2)

Clarice (Annett Cobb) Butler Nago, age 76, passed away on Thursday March 23, 2023, at the Brookridge
Retirement Community in Winston Salem, N.C., following an extended illness. She was placed in hospice care in
December 2022.

Annett was born on February 12, 1947, to Brady and Doris Dunn Cobb. She grew up in Warren, Ohio and was
raised by her mother and stepfather, Webster Owens, along with her sisters, Brenda and Lisa, and her brothers
Tyrone and Webster. Annett attended Warren City Schools and achieved the highest level in the Girls Scout of
America, which enabled her to have the honor of being selected to be a representative from Ohio at the Washington
DC Girls Scout Jamboree. Annett was a graduate of W.G. Harding High School, the Class of 1965. She continued
her education by attending Warren Business College.

Annett was married to Jimmie Butler Sr. and from that union had a son Jimmie Butler Jr. in 1965. After their divorce,
she provided for her son by first working at the Ravenna Arsenal for a period time and then accepted a position with
the Lordstown City Schools District in Warren.

Eventually, Annett met and married Dwight Nago Sr. Together, they had two sons Dwight Nago Jr. and Damon
Nago. Annett and her family relocated to Winston Salem N.C. in 1978 where she and Dwight continued to raise their
sons.

When her marriage ended after 17 years, as a strong-willed mom, Annett took on several jobs, such as Hanes
Textile and AT&T, to continue to provide for her children until she retired. Another goal that she accomplished, which
can be a challenge for any household, was for her sons to graduate from high school. After establishing a host of
friends, Annett remained in Winston Salem for over 40 years.

Annett had a unique way of telling an unpleasant truth about a situation and instead of getting upset about it, one
would consider the value of her wisdom because she would always tag it by saying how much she loved her family.
She also loved to take pictures, starting from when she was in the Girl Scouts. She was immensely proud of a
photograph of her maternal grandmother, taken by her cousin, which included in the background on a wall, a large
picture of her as a toddler wearing a snowsuit. Annett also expressed that it meant a lot to her that she was named
after one of her mother’s older sisters, Aunt Clarice, who also was a strong-willed woman as well as a teacher, who
just like Annett, valued education, and life lessons. Annett loved flowers and took joy in caring for her garden of
bright colored flowers, which included shades of yellow, fuchsia, red, orange, and lavender. These same bright
colors were reflected throughout her home. And she took great pride in the overall appearance of her lawn, so her
neighbors were used to seeing Annett on her riding lawn mower on a regular basis. To quote Lisa, “riding her lawn
mower was like riding a golf cart on her own course!”

Annett is survived by her sons, Dwight C. Nago Jr. (San Diego, CA), Damon C. Nago (Baltimore, MD); her brothers,
Tyrone B. Owens (Rosalyn) (Oakwood Village, OH) and Brady Cobb Jr. (Wuanita); her sister, (Lisa M. Owens
(Michael V. Bailey – Fiancé) (Columbus, OH); her six grandchildren, Brandon Butler (Danielle) (Columbus, OH);
Bryan Butler ( Jakaiah) (Tampa, FL); Jasmine Smith (Omaha NE); Diondre Butler (Omaha NE); Sofia A. Nago; and
Marco Nago (New Jersey) and her three great-grandchildren. Annett also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews,
cousins, other family members, and friends.

And although many of her friends from Winston-Salem preceded her in death, her local friends who remained dear
to her include Lula Floyd, Paul Cuthtell, Sandy Michael, Ann and Scott McComb, Gerald and Louise Edwards,
Beatriz Conrado, Dawn, Teri, Bonita, David, Ralph, and Oscar. The family thanks you all for the love and support
you gave Annett throughout the years.

Visitation 1:00 PM and Memorial Service 2:00 PM Friday, May 26, 2023 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave. (one block east of Noe Bixby, turn North on Lonsdale Rd).

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Condolence Messages

  1. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
    May God comfort you through his word the Bible and the gift of prayer. Thinking of you all.

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