REV. THEODORE CLARK

LILBOURN -- The Rev. Theodore L. Clark, 91, of North Lilbourn died Saturday, May 22, 1999, at Beverly Health Center in New Madrid.

He was born Aug. 29, 1907, in Osceola, Ark., son of Earnest and Ardella Davis Clark. He and Bernice Walker were married Feb. 24, 1926. She died in 1983.

Clark became a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1932. He was pastor at Sanders Chapel AME Church in Wyatt 44 years. He also pastored churches in Lilbourn, Sikeston, Commerce and Sikeston.

He also served as mayor of North Lilbourn from 1973-93. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and member of St. Matthew Grand Lodge AF&AM.

Survivors include seven sons, Theoplis Clark of Essex, Lee Clark of Kansas City, the Rev. Theodore Clark Jr. of St. Louis, James and David Clark of Chicago, Ardean Clark of Buchanan, Mich., and Charles Clark of Leawood, Kan.

Also surviving are four daughters, Lorene McKellor of Essex, Margaree McGee of Chicago, Gloria Adams and Linda Roston of Lilbourn; a sister, Ernestine Gillespie of St. Louis; 40 grandchildren; and 50 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two children, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, three sisters, and a brother.

Friends may call at Mt. Olive Baptist Church from 5-8 p.m. Friday. A Masonic service will be held at 7.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. O'Neal Hayes Brown officiating. Burial will be in Simmons Park Cemetery at Catron.

Williams-Farr and Purnell Funeral Home at Howardville is in charge of arrangements.