Robert Wesley Clark

A memorial service for Dr. Robert Wesley Clark, 95, who died at Woodleaf Senior Care on June 1st, 2022, is at Allen & Allen Celebration of Life Chapel on Saturday, June 4th at 2 PM with Reverend Carrie Myers officiating. Dr. Clark was born on August 28, 1926, in Thomasville, GA to the late Robert Lee Clark and Wessie Elizabeth Mims Clark. He is a graduate of Thomasville High School, Class of 1943. He received an A.B from Stetson University, DeLand FL, 1946; an M.Div. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1952; and Ph.D. in 1960. He did post-doctoral studies in Adult Education at Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia. As a student at Thomasville High School, he was a member of the National Honor Society, President of the Commercial Club, placed second in the Declamation Competition, and acted in a lead role of the Senior Class play. At Stetson University, he was Freshman Editor of the Annual Yearbook, The Hatter, and Business Manager, 1944-1946, a member of Theta Alpha Phi, the Drama Society, Pi Kappa Phi, and Who’s Who in American Schools and Colleges. In 1945-1946, he was President of the Student Government, Chair and Vice-President of the Florida Student Government Convention, and Chair of Religious Focus Week. In 1963-1964, he was President of the Stetson University Alumni. Dr. Clark was a member of the Stetson University Alumni Board as an active member for many years. He served as student Pastor of Okahumpka and Middleburg, FL. while in college and of Mount Liberty, Brushy Fork, and Lebanon Baptist Churches in Kentucky while a student at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in 1950, he became Associate Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Huntsville, AL, and was Interim Pastor in 1951-1952. Dr. Clark was the Pastor of West End Baptist Church in Mobile, AL 1955-1959, an Instructor of the Off-Campus center for Howard University, Birmingham, AL., President of the Mobile Ministerial Association, 1957-1958 and Executive Director of the Mobile Council of Churches. 1959-1960. He served as pastor of the Mayfair Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fl, 1960-1969. He was a member of the Jacksonville Baptist Association and during his tenure at Mayfair, he was also Dean/Registrar/Instructor of Stetson University’s Off-Campus center in Jacksonville, FL. In 1970, he began a career in Higher Education serving as a Counselor on the Students Services Staff of Georgia Southern University. In January 1971, he was appointed Dean of Students of Mt.Olive College in NC, before joining the Staff of the Continuing Education Center at the University of Georgia In December 1971. In 1972, he was Coordinator of Instruction at DeKalb College (now Georgia Perimeter College) and spent 17 years in various academic positions. Dr. Clark was the first Coordinator of the Weekend College, Director of Special programs including Fire Science Technology and the Interpreter Training and Hearing-Impaired. During his tenure at DeKalb College, he was Academic Dean at Central campus, Clarksville and North Campuses, Dunwoody. At the time of his retirement in 1988, he was Assistant Academic Dean of the College South Campus, Decatur, Ga. While an Academic administer for DeKalb College, he was an Adjunct Instructor in Mercer University’s Evening Program, an active member of professional and educational organizations, the Georgia Adult Education Association, The Southeastern Region of Academic Affairs Administrator, Atlanta/Georgia State Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, Atlanta-Northlake Rotary Club and Atlanta-Northlake Kiwanis Club. Dr. Clark was the recipient of an award for “Loyal and Distinguished Service” From the Southeast region of Academic Affairs Administrators, 1984-1985. After retirement from DeKalb, he became Assistant to the President of Thomas University in 1989, dean of Students and Professor of Religion, Ethics, and Philosophy until he retired in 1992. He continued teaching as an Adjunct Professor for many years. He was presented an award for “Dedicated Service to Thomas College” in 1991. During the 1990s, he was Pastor of the Sale City Charge, Metcalf Charge, and was Interim Pastor of the Pavo Charge in 2002-2003. The Sale City United Methodist Charge was awarded Charge of the Year in 1992. In 1995, he exchanged pulpits for six weeks with a Methodist Pastor in England, where he preached in several of the churches in which John Wesley Preached. His late spouse, Lena Mae Harrell Clark, and eldest son, Robert Douglas Clark preceded him in death. Survivors include Betty Jean (B.J.) Miller, granddaughter, and great-grandson, King Jackson “Jack” Miller IV; daughter Susan Lynn Clark and son Eric Wesley Clark. and spouse Theresa, Granddaughter Lindsay Elizabeth Clark Thornton, great grandson, Tyler Harris Thornton of Ellijay, Ga. Granddaughter, Erica Ashley Clark Vealey and spouse, Philip Vealey, great-grandsons, Harrison Bryan Miller, Skyler Zane Hasty and great-granddaughter, Emily Renee Reagan of Thomasville, Ga. Grandson Christopher Charles Clark and wife Holley Clark, great-granddaughter Alyssa (Aly) Nicole Clark and Olivia Faith Clark, Bri Clark, and grandson Joshua Lloyd Clark (Brittany) of Boston, Ga. great granddaughter Kinsley Clark, Daughter Barbara Clark Moore, Thomasville; grandson Garrett Watson Moore and spouse Trina Carey Moore, Phoenix, Az and grandsons Andrei and Luke. Grandson, Justin Clark Moore who precedes him in death, Granddaughter, Victoria Anne Moore, and spouse James Michael Kleitz and grandsons Finn Kleitz of Atlanta and granddaughter Elizabeth (Elsie) Kleitz. Daughter Susan Clark Waite and spouse Dr. Powell Dean Waite of Greenville, Sc; granddaughter Ashley Elena Waite and Joe Riddle of Alabama and granddaughter Lena Ruth and grandson Felix and grandson Clark Patrick Waite and spouse Elizabeth Waite and grandson Sawyer of Atlanta, Ga. Powell Dean Waite II and spouse Nicole Marie Miller Waite, great-grandson. Powell Dean Waite III, Mobile AL. Elizabeth Waite Mann and spouse Jacob Chapman Mann, Sr., great-grandsons Jacob Chapman Mann Jr., Hamilton McCrady Mann, and Clifton Bates Mann, of Greenville, S.C. Dr. Clark has a surviving sister Elizabeth Frances Clark, Metarie, LA; and a brother John Mims Clark and wife Susan, Daphne, AL. Preceding him in death are brothers William Vareen Clark, Valdosta, Jesse Forrester Clark, Slocum, AL, Harry Larkin Clark, Elberta, AL, Larry Lee Clark, and Gerald Dennis Clark, Foley, AL. He has many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Thomasville First United Methodist Foodbank, to Vashti Home in Thomasville, or to your favorite Charity.

For live stream funeral service please click this link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0QOwYXWKQpPzGujT9YmRBw