Rachel M. Clark

RACHEL MAHALIE CLARK

Mother Rachel Clark left behind all earthly pain and met the Lord in Paradise on August 4, 2016.

She was born September 29, 1924 in a small farming community in Jonah, TX. Rachel was joyously welcomed by parents Albert and Estella City and grandparents Hiram and Rachel. Although she was the only child of Estella, her Father, Albert was a widower with seven children when he met and married Estella.

After losing her Dad at an early age, Rachel and her Mother moved to San Angelo, TX in 1938.

Rachel and her Mom united with Mt. Zion Baptist Church which later changed names to Antioch First Missionary Baptist Church. She was active in her Church; serving as teacher of Mission #2, assistant Sunday School teacher and faithful Wednesday Bible Study student. She just could not get enough of God’s Word.

After graduating from Blackshear High School, she attended Prairie View College for two semesters before meeting, falling in love with and marrying Curtis Martin on July 14, 1943. In 1947, her only child, Billie Faye was born.

On December 13, 1955, Rachel married Gary F. Clark who preceded her in death.

Rachel was a good Mother and after finding herself a single parent, she worked in private homes to provide for her and her daughter until she was able to realize a lifelong dream and enter Nursing School. Due to segregation, she had to commute between San Angelo and Odessa, TX to accomplish her goal and on February 29, 1960, graduated from Odessa College of Nursing with honors. She started her Nursing career on March 5, 1960 at St. John’s Hospital and practiced her beloved profession for 27 years before retiring in 1987.

Mom was preceded in death by both her parents, three sisters, five brothers and two very special nieces, Georgian City Robinson and Mildred City Collins.

Those left to cherish wonderful memories are: children, Billie and Husband DeLarance and Sherry Ann; 7 grandchildren: AnneLisa Patrice, DeLarnce Eric and wife Jenny, Nicole, Courtney, Michael, Olasoji, and Olayiwola; 11 great-grandchildren to include: Jynnifer Estelle, Elijah DeLarnce, Gabriel DeLarnce; four great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

When Mom reached 70 years old, she said she had fulfilled the age in the scripture of “3 Score, 10” and she was ready and prepared whenever the Lord was ready. Praise God, in His Infinite Wisdom, He saw fit to give her more.

Special thanks to Hospice of San Angelo caregivers Becky, Laura and Elaina as well as the nursing staff at Shannon Hospital – 6 West.

Funeral Services will be at 12:00 noon Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at Antioch First Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Johnson’s Funeral Home.