Mary Jo Clark

The daughter of Verner and Hazel Mullins Draper; she was born in Madison, Tennessee and spent her early years in Old Hickory, Tennessee. When her parents relocated to Chattanooga as lifelong DuPonters, Red Bank became Mary Jo’s permanent home. Mary Jo graduated from Red Bank High School in 1954. She married her husband, the late Harold F. Clark, Sr. in 1956 and began a life of love - raising her three children, molding her family and being of service to the Red Bank and education communities. Mary Jo had a life-long love of birds. You could find her many days sitting on her patio enjoying God’s beautiful creatures. She shared her love of birds with her children and grandchildren, who carry on this passion. Mary Jo was a surrogate mother to many children in the Red Bank community. Many of these children still consider her an important part of their youth. She always loved and considered these children her family.

She and Harold were members of Red Bank Baptist Church where Mary Jo spent many years in active service roles with Girls in Action and children's Sunday School. Mary Jo was committed to children and youth. She and Harold were part of a core group of Red Bank families dedicated to strengthening the community and its children. They were key in the development and success of girl’s fast pitch softball and were honored with the naming of Clark Field in Red Bank. She served as a member of the historical society and is a proud Inductee in the Red Bank Hall of Fame.

She spent her adult life as an advocate for children. Mary Jo was dedicated to service and loved being able to help members of her community. For over four decades, Mary Jo served in numerous offices for the Local, State and National PTA where she was a lifelong member of each. She served two governors for Tennessee, Ned Ray McWhorter and Fred Thompson, in improving secondary school curriculums. Mary Jo also served tirelessly on the board of the Public Education Foundation and was honored to continue to serve as a Emeritus Board Member. She knew the importance of educating children and in supporting our schools. Education was her cause and she embraced it.

She was predeceased by her husband Harold F. Clark, Sr., parents Hazel and Verner Draper, father- and mother-in-law Virgil and Nellie Clark, her brother John Draper, her sister-in-law Mary Jane Levi, brothers-in-law Donald Levi and Fred Kessler and sons-in-law Rick Bailey and Frank Larry.

She is survived by daughters Karen Clark of Cincinnati, Ohio, Kathy Clark (Melodye Zimmerman), and son Hal Clark, two grandsons Cody Clark(Becca Roberts), Hunter Clark (Raven Fox), one granddaughter Hali Clark and two great-grandsons Jax Clark and Knox Clark all of Chattanooga, Tennessee, along with her beloved sister and brother-in-law, Linda Draper Clonts and David Clonts and sister-in-law Barbara Clark Kessler. She also has a host of nieces, nephews and cousins who she loved dearly.

Private graveside services will be at Hamilton Memorial Garden.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later time, when it is safer to gather in large groups.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Public Education Foundation, 100 East 10th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.