Claudia Jean Smith Clark

Claudia Jean Smith Clark was born in Nassau County, NY to the late Harold and Ruth Williams Smith and unexpectedly passed away at the age of 79 in Greensboro, NC. After graduating high school, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from University of Connecticut-Bridgeport. She always wanted to fly an airplane so she joined the United States Air Force, where she was a Lt. Colonel, serving as a nurse and attaining her pilots license. Upon leaving the Air Force, Claudia continued her education at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor where she attended anesthesia school, earning her Master’s Degree as a nurse anesthetist.

While living in Kalamazoo, MI she was introduced to William E. Clark, who she married in 1974. They moved to Greensboro in 1986 after she accepted a position at Moses Cone Hospital from which she retired in 2005. Nursing came naturally to Claudia, as she was a compassionate and caring soul dedicated to the well-being and recovery of her patients. Among her many accomplishments, she was instrumental in the opening and success of the Moses Cone Day Surgery Center. After retirement, Claudia enjoyed life at their Belews Creek lake house, crocheting, knitting, and reading. Her grandchildren meant the world to her and she was lovingly permissive to their wants and needs.

Claudia leaves behind her husband, William; daughters and their spouses, Jennifer and Daniel Gilland of Green Cove Springs, FL and Allison and Gregg Pait of Oak Ridge; three grandsons, Daniel Gilland, Jr. and Matthew and William Pait; sisters-in-law, Pamela (Joe) Hofmann of Kingsport, TN and Maria Smith of Long Island, NY; and six nephews who she adored, Todd, Shane, Brett, Chad, Mike and Kyle. In addition to her parents, her brother, David Smith preceded her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Urban Ministries, 305 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27406 or Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.