Norwood Clark

Norwood (Sonny) Clark, age 88, passed away on Monday, August 14, 2023.

His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who conquered death, hell, and the grave, personally welcomed and embraced Norwood (Sonny), handed him the Great Diploma qualifying him as a resident of God’s Heaven for all eternity, and declared him victorious and a WINNER forever more, since Jesus, Himself, had already defeated the enemy.  Angels lifted their voices in a rejoicing song of welcome as Norwood (Sonny) graduated into glory.

Norwood was born in the midst of the Great Depression on an isolated farm that grew principally rocks and briars in rural Miller County, Missouri on October 30, 1934, to Norwood E. Clark, Sr. and Stella C. (Povolish) Clark.  Always the family “Gypsy,” he moved to Georgia in 1975 after having departed Missouri to live in other States.  He found his “paradise” in the Blue Ridge Mountains here and settled down.  The Crowning Event of his life, other than the day we celebrate today, occurred September 9, 1960, in Noel (like Christmas) MO in a tiny town where Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri all come together.  There a precious jewel sent from God said the words “I do” and Brenda (Dickerson) Clark became his soulmate, sharing the next 54 years on this Earth with him before being called home to be with God September 17, 2014.  They are now joyfully reunited in God’s presence.  They reared four children, three of whom survive: Jerry R. Clark and wife Tammy of Winona, MN; Carolee A. Clark; and John N. Clark; Son Randall E. Clark preceded his parents in death.  He is also survived by one sister, Vera Strutton of Iberia, MO, along with several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his only brother, Kenneth Clark of Springfield, MO and a sister, Norma Jean Shelton of Iberia, MO.

Norwood was essentially a lifelong scholar enabling him to rise to upper-level positions around the U.S. in a variety of professions and fields of work that captured the interest of his adventurous mind (Music and Broadcasting; Entertainment; Medical Technology; Insurance Educator on a national scale; and Risk Management Consulting with clients and operating on four (4) continents, describe a few of his endeavors).  He also taught Advanced Bible Studies for nearly forty years.  He and Brenda remained active in Southern Baptist Churches wherever they lived throughout their lives together.  They started and finished in mountainous areas with mountain people whom they identified with and loved.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Friday, August 18, 2023, at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.  The Rev. Shannon Rhodes and the Rev. Robert Abernathy will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made at Smithgall Woods Animal Shelter – P.O. Box 2090, Cleveland, GA 30528.

To share a memory or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.barrettfh.com

Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland.