Mary (Evelyn) Williams Clark has gone to the heavenly home she always encouraged others to seek. She died Wednesday afternoon, April 1, 2015 at age 72 after succumbing to complications from emergency surgery to remove failing intestines.
Mary was a Hall County native and first daughter of Clarence and Zora Williams. At age 16, she was struck by the debilitating effects of rheumatoid arthritis that crippled body and remained active for 56 years until her death. Her physical limitations and persistent pain were more challenging than most people could bear, but she survived and thrived for so many years because of her unwavering faith in Christ. Mary believed that she had a ministry to send beautifully hand-written cards of encouragement and hope to those she loved, and they became treasured keepsakes.
Mary worked as an advertising staffer at The Times newspaper, where she met and married Dan Clark in June 1964. The couple shared a beautiful life together, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year. She was also a prominent member of Riverbend Baptist Church and the Fleur De Lis garden club in Gainesville.
Mary is survived by her husband, son Kelly Clark and daughter-in-law, Terrie Clark, granddaughters Julia Mann and Olivia Evelyn Clark, brother Jim Williams, sister Rhonda Williams McCreary, nieces and nephews Andrea, Tracy, Kyle, Katie, Madison and Mallory.
A graveside interment service will be held at Alta Vista Cemetery near the Mausoleum building at 2 p.m. Friday, April 3 with visitation from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held the following Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Riverbend Baptist Church on Cleveland Highway
. All family and friends are welcome to attend these services. In lieu of flowers and gifts, please make any donations on Mary’s behalf to the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org).
Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200 or for those who desire online condolences at
www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.
