Mrs. Smithie CLARK died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. R. STROUP, Monday, Jan. 13, 1913. She was born May 14, 1828. She professed religion in early life at the age of 14 years, united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church on the 13th of the month, it being the same day of the month on which she died. She was married to Jack CLARK in the year 1858. She leaves four daughters and one son. Her husband died when the children were quite small, leaving the raising of the children to the mother, who worked and brought up her children to be as dutiful as any parent could. The children are: Mrs. R. L. LIGHTFORT, Bolivar; Mrs. J. R. STROUP, Mrs. Allie SCOTT, Mrs. J. H. COX, W. W. CLARK, Saulsbury.
Mrs. Clark was sick almost two weeks with pneumonia and bronchitis. She was carefully watched night and day by her four daughters, also her son a greater part of the time, and her good and faithful physician, Dr. W. L. Goddard. Every attention was given her, but God knew best. He called her home. She has gone from among us; gone to meet and be with those of her kindred and friends who have already crossed the dark valley through which we all must pass. She has gone from the scenes and surrounding of her home. There are many men and women in this county who will learn of her death with sorrow.
She was one of the few who stayed with us after the days of their four score and four years had been exhausted. She was a devote Christian lady, loved her church devotedly. There was never a mother who loved her home more or who was more beloved in it. There was never a sting to her words or a cloud on her face for her loved ones. They knew her as none other did. Whatever the world may think of her foibles, whatever it may think she lacked of being a perfect lady, they found nothing wanting in her to make her the perfect mother. They can look back to no bitter days, to no unhappy nights, to no tears and no sighs that she caused, but to only long unbroken chain of days and months and years when she was with them and found her greatest happiness in making them happy. When her personal purity, uprightness, integrity and Christian walk are considered, she was far superior to the great majority. Her life has been an inspiration to others, and her example is worthy the careful, sturdy and earnest emulation of the generations that are to come after them.
The funeral services were conducted at the Cumberland Presbyterian church at 12 o’clock, Tuesday, by her pastor, Rev. S. H. Braly, of Bolivar. The services were such as befitted her life and character and the tributes paid her memory were only such as she deserved.
One Who Loved Her
Source: original newspaper clipping in scrapbook created by Ada Clark Stroup of Saulsbury
