Nancy Clark

Nancy Clark (Callahan) was born on January 15, 1957, in Darmstadt, Germany, to Nathaniel Richard Callahan and Ilse Lehn. As the third of seven children she spent the first four years of her life in Germany before the family moved to Virginia, where they stayed for six months. They eventually made their way to Seaside, California, where Nancy spent the next 12 years growing up.

In November 1974, after meeting Joseph Clark, Nancy moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she married him at the young age of 17. Together, they built a life and a family. Before their marriage, Nancy welcomed her first son, although not biological, William Jermaine Clark will always be one of her own. A few years later, she and Joseph were blessed with three more children: Joseph Livingston Clark III, Jamila Marie Haywood, and Micheaux Deremiah Clark.

Nancy pursued her education through Job Corp where she proudly earned her G.E.D. and received her CNA credentials. She went on to dedicate 17 years of her life to caring for others as a nurse at Saint Luke’s Medical Hospital and Thunderbird Hospital. When her professional career came to an end, her family and friends were there to care for her—just as she had done for so many others throughout her life.

Nancy was a free spirit in the truest sense. She valued her independence and had a way of expressing herself without constraint. She didn’t take any mess from anyone—she was a straight shooter through and through—but she always led with love. If she believed in something, she stood by it. If she believed in you, she made sure you knew it.

She loved walking and often met friends—many of whom became family—just from striking up conversations on her daily strolls. Whether in her neighborhood or walking to the store, she’d stop and talk to anyone. Her warmth and charisma drew people in, and her genuine care made them stay.

Nancy had a unique flair for fashion. She could dress to the nines—matching from her hat and jewelry all the way down to her shoes. She especially loved her vibrant African print gowns and always put together an outfit that turned heads. Her creativity extended far beyond her closet. It’s been said she could’ve had a career in interior decorating. She had an eye for beauty and could transform any space—even with little or no money. Everything she touched reflected her vibrant, thoughtful spirit.

Nancy was deeply selfless. Even when she was in pain or going through her own battles, she continued to care for others—whether you were family, a friend, or a complete stranger. She always put others before herself. She showed love through service, and one of the most memorable ways she did that was through her cooking. Food was her love language. We will miss her meals dearly—especially her fried chicken, fried pork chops, baked macaroni and cheese, and her Italian sausage scalloped potatoes. Even in her final days, she talked about cooking for us.

She had a way of making everyone feel like they were her favorite. That was her gift—making people feel seen, loved, and special. And no matter what she was facing, she’d look you in the eye with strength and say, “God got me.”

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Nathaniel Richard Callahan and Ilse Lehn; her brothers Daniel Thomas Callahan and Maurice E. Callahan; and her sister Gabriele H. Callahan.

She is survived by her beloved children: William Jermaine Clark, Joseph Livingston Clark III (Angela Clark), Jamila Marie Haywood (Bruce Haywood), and Micheaux Deremiah Clark. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren: Hannah Naomi-Monet Clark, Isaiah Nathaniel-Lee Hereford, Zariah Divine Clark, Amare Jermaine Damier Clark, Abel Enrique Clark, Braylon Lebron Joe Clark, Joseph Livingston Clark IV, Micheaux Quinton Clark, Deremiah Alexander Clark, Essence Audrina Alicia Clark, and Kelis Amiah Clark.

She is also survived by her loving siblings: Richard Callahan, Carolyn Anna Owens (Tony Owens), and Raymond Wesley Callahan (Victoria Callahan), along with a host of relatives and friends who were touched by her love and light.