James Martin Clark, 85, retired employee of Monsanto Chemical Company, former employee of Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home, and resident of Morel Road in the Sawdust Community, died Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at Maury Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, November 22, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Pastor Lawrence Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. and Sunday from 12:00 P.M. until service time at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorials to The Church of God of Prophecy, 1423 Williamsport Pike, Columbia, TN 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.
Born February 9, 1935 in Maury County, he was the son of the late Ernest Carroll Clark and the late Odie Mae Steward Clark. He was a 1953 graduate of Columbia Central High School. Mr. Clark worked in the electrical and maintenance department for Monsanto Chemical Company for many years. After retirement, he then worked as a funeral assistant for Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home for several years. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family and going to his grandchildren’s sporting events. He loved farming, gardening, and raising cattle. Mr. Clark was a faithful member of The Church of God of Prophecy, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent for several years.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, whom he married November 16, 1952, Betty Jo Prince Clark of Columbia; children, Carol (Jeff) Helgren of Santa Fe; Renea (Jeff) Foster of Santa Fe; Valerie (Rodney) Patterson of Columbia; Laurie (Bill) Brooks of Columbia; sister, Victoria Jean Clark of Columbia; brother, Charles (Bertha) Clark of Columbia; daughter-in-law, Dawn Clark of Columbia; sisters-in-law, Jean E. Clark, Sue Clark, Sammie Ledford, Margaret Ruth Prince all of Columbia; grandchildren, Megan (Josh) Lancaster, Amber Clark, Katelyn Clark, Jessica (Shelby) Carpenter, Ryan Helgren, Haley Foster, Morgan Brooks, and Emalee Brooks; great grandchildren, Kiptyn Lancaster, Kislynn Lancaster; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son, Marty Clark; brothers, Ray Clark, Billy Clark, and Wilburn (Eleanor Loy) Clark; and nephew, Chip Clark.
Active pallbearers will be Ryan Helgren, Wayne Clark, Duck Sharp, Nicholas Clark, Caleb Clark, Clark Franklin, and Wil Sargent. Honorary pallbearers include retirees of Monsanto Chemical Company and the employees of Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.
