Mary Ella Clark

Mary Ella Crook Clark, 89, died April 13, at home in Arkadelphia. She was born in Parkin, Ark., the daughter of Ollie E. and Johnnie C. Crook. Mary Ella graduated from Forest City high school where she was elected State President of Arkansas High School Student Councils. She earned a BA degree from the University of Arkansas where she was selected to Mortar Board, Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, was elected as President of Associated Women Students, and served two terms as President of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. As a graduate student at the University of Georgia she chartered the first chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma on that campus. Mary Ella was married to Dr. Charles G. Clark for 41 years until his death in 1987. They moved to Arkadelphia in 1947 and raised 3 daughters there. As a young mother she was honored as Clark County Woman of the Year for her volunteer work with the Mothers March of Dimes. Mary Ella was a member of the First Presbyterian Church serving as Elder, officer of Presbyterian Women where she received the Life Member Award, and was active in creating the Chrismon Tree for the church. In 2010 she was named the honoree of the Henderson State University President's Concert. Mary Ella served as president of the Philharmonic Club, state president of the National Federated Music Clubs and president of the AFMC Southwest District Music Clubs and was a member of PEO. She is survived by daughters Peggy Clark (Hot Springs), Carolyn Tennyson (Hot Springs), Elizabeth (Tim) Bozik (Upper Montclair, N.J.); grandchildren, Clark (Katie) Tennyson (Hot Springs), Claire Tennyson (Hot Springs), Charles Bozik (Washington, DC) and Edward Bozik (Upper Montclair, N.J.), one great-grandson, Thomas Clark Tennyson, two sisters, Audrey Crook (Hot Springs) Faye Wood (Jonesboro), sister-in-law, Mary Elizabeth Crook (San Clemente, California) and nine nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her husband, Charles G. Clark, brothers, Ollie Crook, Thomas Crook, and Charles Crook. The family gratefully thanks Dr. Jeanne Wei, UAMS Reynolds Institute on Aging for her devoted care and her caregivers for their exceptional kindness. Memorials may be sent to UAMS Reynolds Institute on Aging, Arkadelphia Philharmonic Club Scholarship Fund, First Presbyterian Church Arkadelphia. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 21 in the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Kendall Land officiating. Graveside service for family will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery. There will be no formal visitation. Honorary pallbearers will be Ross Whipple, John Hobgood, Bob Ramsauer, Mack Tatman, George Keck, Woody Jolly, and Ed McCorkle. Sign guest book at www.ruggleswilcox.com.