Shirley Marie Clark

Shirley Marie Simmons Clark, 84, of Hampton VA, passed away on October 30th in Pittsboro NC. She sang her way past the pearly gates and into the heaven’s choir. She could command a room by just walking into it and mesmerize it by lifting her voice in song.

A celebration of her life will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday November 9th at Buckroe Baptist Church in Hampton VA.

Shirley was born in Washington DC to William Caton and Nettie Simmons on March 5th, 1935. She married Ross Clark on April 5th, 1955 in Washington DC. She retired from the US government and faithfully served as choir director for several Baptist churches over the years.

Shirley is preceded in death by her father at age 8, her mother at age 12, and all her maternal siblings Robert Simmons, Doris Simmons, George Simmons, and Louise Kirkwood.

An accomplished wife, mother, opera vocalist, choir director, and baker she is survived by her husband Ross, her three children Deborah Gay and her husband Thomas, Victoria Clark and partner Cindy Stokes, and David Clark and his wife Mary K., five grandchildren Shirley Pace and her husband Brandon, Jennifer Clark and her husband Steve, Benjamin Clark, Timothy Clark, and Joanna Clark and six great-grandchildren Ross and Anton Pace, and Ethan, Julie, Emma, and Micah Clark.

A very special thank you to the care-givers at Cambridge Hills Assisted Living of Pittsboro, NC for the care you provided over the last year.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://alz.org/) or to Buckroe Baptist Church in Hampton VA.

Arrangements with Apex Funeral Home.