Josephine P. Clark was born on August 2, 1950, to the late Ruth Moore in Lake Cormorant, MS and was the youngest of six children.
Her early school years started at Hargrove, Abby and McKay, but it was at Delta Center High School, where she excelled. Her love for music and sports was sparked. Josephine was the head majorette, following in her sister Mildred’s boots, in the Wildcats marching band and was a cracker jack basketball player, averaging 18 points per game. She was the parliamentarian and valedictorian of the 1968 graduating class of Delta Center. After high school, she continued her education at Tennessee State University from 1968 1970.
Josephine married her childhood sweetheart, M.L. Clark, Jr., on February 1, 1970. They celebrated 52 years of marriage. To this union, they were blessed with four children; Ryan L. Clark. Pavia L. Clark Hall, Migel M. Clark and M.L. Clark, Ill.
Josephine was employed by the Sacred Heart League in the early 1960's, when she was still a student at Delta Center High School. During her employment, her job titles varied from warehouse worker to supervisor. She was the first Black supervisor employed by the Sacred Heart Southern Missions. Her responsibilities ranged from, training other employees to operating different inserting machines, to printing names on Christmas cards and addressing mailing labels. In addition, she worked as the Mail Receiving Supervisor and was responsible for maintaining the names, addresses and records of donors for the entire organization. On a regular basis, she prepared year end reports for auditors, the accounting department and the director of the organization.
Josephine often represented the organization at conferences where she was asked to train third party vendors relative to the proper work of the Sacred Heart Southern Missions.
She participated in two Sacred Heart Southern Missions tours to Israel, Greece and Turkey. One tour lasted fourteen days and another tour for eighteen days. On those tours she was responsible for addressing the needs of more than fifty tourists.
Josephine was also part of the award winning “Lady Rockets”, which was the Sacred Heart Southern Mission’s female softball team.
She retired from Sacred Heart Southern Missions in 2015, after working for 50 years and was honored as a pioneer of that organization.
Josephine was a former member of Walls Chapel CME Church. It was there, where she became the mother of many children. She organized events and developed programs that provided opportunities for church youth to be a part. Easter speeches, formatted welcomes and plays were a standard. Under her leadership as the choir president, she stressed the importance of giving God your best. Song selection, song assignments, attire, choir day, annual trip to Decatur, IL or Sunday, You should give God your best. He deserves it!
She connected with Breath of Life Christian Center and then closer to home with Abundant Grace Fellowship. But nothing could match the experience of worshiping with her husband and she became a member of the New Hope M.B. Church in Walls, MS.
She truly was an inspiration to all.
Josephine’s memories will be cherished by her husband, M.L. Clark, Jr., children; Ryan L. Clark, Pavia L. Clark Hall (Anthony, Sr.), Migel M. Clark and M.L. Clark, Ill., fourteen grandchildren; Zoe P. Clark. Anton Clark. Ryan Clark, Jr., Tyshun Clark, Aliaon A. Clark, Aliana A. Clark, Pavia L. Clark, Anthony R. Hall, Jr., Madison M. Clark, Rakel M. Clark, Kyrin Clark, Reagan M. Clark, Rhys C. Clark, Cooper J. Clark, four great grandchildren; Maliyah C. Walker, Martavious C. Walker, Jr., Khloe' G. Echols and Adonis A. Clark, six sisters; Mildred Martin, Annie Mae Lauderdale, Virgina Cowans (Herbert), Loyce Lomax, Tonia Sanders (Waverly) and Janet Griffin, three brothers; James Smith, John Pledge (Deidre), David Pledge (Angelette), all of Memphis, TN, Six sister in laws; Carolyn Clark Collins (Gregg), Deloise Clark Huskey (Johnathan) of Atlanta, GA, Jacqueline James, Gwendolyn Stevens (Kevin), Vernita Clark of Anniston, AL, Erica Clark, Two brother in laws; Johnny Clark, Tyrone Clark (Ukelia), all of Memphis, TN and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Preceding her in death were, her mother; Ruth Moore, father; Stonewall Pledge, sisters; Nedith Kuykendall, Georgia Kirk, brothers; Rufus Moore (at birth), Harry Moore, Stonewall Pledge, Jr., sister in laws; Ruby Mae Clark, Shirley Johnson (Marshall), brother in laws; Terry Clark (Bonnie), Rayfield Lauderdale, Reginald Lomax, and a very special niece, Drahea L. Martin.
We, the family of Josephine P. Clark, are deeply grateful for your prayers, visits, phone calls, food, flowers and all of your comforting expressions rendered to us. You have truly been a blessing to us during this time. We extend our heartfelt thanks to each of you for whatever part you played. We ask that you continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Your kindness will forever be cherished and may God richly bless you.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE HEARTS OF HOSPICE NURSES AND STAFF
The Family
ROBERT DAVIS LARRY GARMON THOMAS KNIGHT MARIO MCNEAL ERIC RICE CORNELL RICHARDSON
RYAN CLARK MIGEL CLARK M.L. CLARK III ARNEST MARTIN, JR. ELLIOTT MARTIN ALAHUNDRE MARTIN MAURICE KUYKENDALL, JR. JAMES MURRAY WILLIAM KIRK MIKE BARNES EDDIE BLACKDELTA CENTER REUNION
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