Virginia Joyce Clark

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Malcolm and Virginia Campbell, her brother, Robert M. Campbell, and her husband of 50 years, James L. Clark. She is survived by four children: Deborah Aderhold (Ben), James L. Clark, Jr., Jeffrey L. Clark (Nancy) and Diana Daniel. She also had 11 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

Pat attended secretarial school after graduating from Hirsch HS in Chicago in 1945, while modeling for an agency in Chicago. She was a stewardess for American Air Lines from 1948 until she and Jim married in December 1951. Not only did Pat and Jim have four children between 1953 and 1957, they also moved from Chicago to Tallahassee, FL, back to Chicago, then to Jacksonville, FL, to Augusta and Decatur, GA.

In 1958, the family relocated to New Orleans, where Jim had been promoted to Regional Mgr. for a major department store chain. Pat was not only engaged in raising four children under the age of 6, but she also volunteered to assist their teachers as each child entered school.

Pat loved music and had a beautiful voice, although she seldom sang in public. She also loved to read, and often had three different books in progress around the house. She has always been a woman of faith, whose journey was blessed with a growing understanding of her loving Creator and Father, and what He had done for her. Its reality to her was evidenced not only by her unconditional love for her family, but her love for people, and her kindness to and respect of all.

Pat and Jim finally settled in Atlanta in 1973, where Jim had once again been promoted. Although they both were working, they finally found time to enjoy their hobbies and spending time with their growing number of grandchildren.

Pat was hired by the Dekalb County’s Library System in 1995, and thoroughly enjoyed here assignment to the Salem Panola library. One of her supervisors during her 20-year tenure wrote, “Pat was a ray of sunshine. As her manager, I cannot remember a time when she had an unkind word or a complaint. A gracious and caring lady, she brought a gentle and elegant touch to our work environment, as well as a stellar work ethic. Her memory will be sweet!”

To her children, she was so much more than Mom. She was a role model, mentor, confidant, cheerleader, and best friend. The family will hold a private memorial at a later date.