Frances Clark

Frances Clark passed peacefully into the arms of her Heavenly Father in her home on Wednesday, August 4, 2021. She was 100 years young.
Virginia Frances Speight Clark was born November 29, 1920 to James Carman Speight and Ruth Chandler Somers Speight. She was born in her great grandmother’s home on Old Troy Road, in rural Weakley County Tennessee in the New Salem Community. She was an only child. When she was still a small baby she moved with her parents and grandmother, Fannie Chandler Somers, to a new home about a mile down the road. She attended New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church and became a member when she was 9 years old. She attended New Salem School through the 5th grade and then transferred to Sharon School, where she graduated from high school in 1938. She continued her eduation at UT Jr. College in Martin then transferred to UT Knoxville. She graduated with a BS degree in Vocational Home Economics and Education in 1942. After graduation she taught Vocational Home Economics at Dresden High School. She returned to UTM and received her Masters in Education later in her teaching career.
While at Knoxville, she net and fell in love with John C. Clark from McMinnville, TN. These were World War II years. They married in 1943. He served in the South Pacific zone 2 !/2 years. After the war he returned and they moved to Jackson, TN. They made their home there for the next 30 years. John worked for the University of Tennessee Extension Department as a District Horticulturist and she taught Home Economics at North Side High School, Madison County, for 2 years. She resigned to raise her family, a daughter Virginia Lee Clark and son John Carman Clark. For nine years she devoted her time, energy and love to her family. After both children entered shcool, she returned to teaching Home Economics at North Side High School where she taught 18 more years. In 1975 she lost her husband suddenly and in 1976 she returned to the New Salem Community, in Weakley County. She opened an antique shop and enjoyed going to auctions and collecting things for her shop. After she closed the shop she enjoyed traveling and devoting time to family, church and friends. She is survived by: daughter Virginia (Rick) Johnson and son John ( Janie) Clark. Grandchildren are Sam (Jayme) Clark, Teri-lee (Evan) James, Crystal (Eric) Scott, and Codie (Leanna) Clark. She has eight great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. Services for Frances Clark will be at New Salelm Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Hwy 89, Sharon, TN on Monday Augut 9, 2021, with visitation from 10.00 – 12:00. Funeral service will follow immediately at 12:00. Burial will be in the New Salelm Cemetery. Memorials can be made to New Salem Cemetery c/o Janie Clark, 215 Rambo RD, Sharon, TN 38255 or Beef Cattle Facility Gift Fund at the Univerity of Tennessee at Martin and mailed to : UT Foundation , 329 Administration Building, Martin, TN 38238. Online tributes may be left at williamsfhofgreenfieldandgleason.com.