Monday, March 25, 2024

Robert E. “Bobby” Clark, Jr.

 Mr. Robert E. “Bobby” Clark, Jr., 90, passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at the Winston County Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 27th, at First Methodist Church, with Rev. Mike Childs officiating.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the church.    Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.   

Bobby was born March 1, 1934, in Louisville, MS, to Charlie Mae Garrigues and Robert E. Clark, Sr.  Bobby was a graduate of Louisville High School where he served as student body president and a member of the LHS Hall of Fame.   After attending Mississippi State University for two years he accepted an appointment at the U. S. Military Academy in West Point, NY and graduated in 1958.  Bobby served in the 82d Airborne Division, on the DMZ in Korea, and as an instructor in the Ranger Department of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA.  He was assigned to the Americal Division during his tour in Viet Nam.  He returned to instructor status in the Math Department at USMA and finished his military career.

Upon returning to Louisville, the hometown he loved, Bobby was very civic-minded. He served as the director of the Chamber of Commerce, three terms on the Board of Alderman, and one term as Mayor of Louisville.  He served as the southern coordinator of the American Red Cross and a member of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance.  He was a member of the Rotary Club, Gideons, Friends of Legion State Park, American Legion, and a Friends of the Library.  In particular, he loved following the stock market, as he called it his “work”.

He was a faithful member of First Methodist Church, where he served in many leadership positions over the years. He was faithful in his Bible reading and the study of God’s word.  He enjoyed teaching older students Sunday School and challenging them to grow in their faith.  Family was his ultimate joy and to see them accept Christ as their savior.  He loved his wife of 65 years, Sylvia, and all of his brothers, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Charles Garrigues Clark.

He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Duck Clark; a daughter, Camille (Keith) Ball of Madison, MS; a son, George Robert (Gwen) Clark of Noxapater, MS; a brother, Joe (Susan) Clark of Louisville; a sister-in-law, Gerry Clark; nine grandchildren, Mamie Clark (Kyle) Krebs, Carol Anne (Taylor) Bussell, Jackson Clark, Amzi Ball (Ryan) Johnson, Story Ball, Callie Ball, Iris Ball, Watson Ball, and Joshua Ball; and two great grandchildren, Jamison Krebs and Brody Bussell.   

Pallbearers will be Jackson Clark, Watson Ball, Joshua Ball, Kyle Krebs, Sam Clark, Matthew Clark, Ryan Johnson, Taylor Bussell, and Hodgson Bookout.