Joan Cecile Clark

Joan Clark passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the age of 89. She was born on October 20, 1936, in Hubbard, OH and graduated from Ursuline High School in Youngstown, OH in 1954. She attended New Castle School of Nursing in New Castle, PA and graduated in 1958. She was commissioned into the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston where she met her husband, Frank. As a 2nd Lt. Army nurse, she was stationed several places including Ft. Sam Houston, Ft. Sill, and Ft. Ord. After her honorary discharge in August 1962, she and Frank started their family in Baton Rouge. She received her B.S. from LSU in 1976 using the G.I. Bill, which was quite a feat while staying home and raising three kids.

She is survived by her children, Catherine Clark Crader (Darren), Carla Clark Miller (Eric) and Robert Francis Clark (Laura); her eight grandchildren, Kayla Meadors, Alysha Meadors Collins (Ethan), Jenna Meadors Oliver (Zach), Mary Katherine Miller Hudgins (Oliver), Amy Miller, Charles Clark (Destin), Ryan Clark and Landon Clark; and her two great-grandchildren, Maddie and Dakota Collins. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Frank Raymond Clark; her parents, Carl and Dorothy Wittenauer; her four brothers: Ed Wittenauer, Jerry Wittenauer, Charles Wittenauer and Jim Wittenauer; and her three sisters: Marge Goterba, Rose Yuhas and Martha Tygart.

She loved having her family over to visit and enjoy a meal. Her passion was her yard and keeping it looking immaculate. She would spend many hours a day tending to her flower beds. She and Frank were founding members of St. Jude Catholic Church. She also worked as a volunteer docent for the Rural Life Museum, was a member of the Magnolia Woods Garden Club, the St. Jude Ladies Crochet ministry, and attended a St. Jude bible study group. She loved to read, cross-stitch, crochet, cook and never missed her afternoon nap.

Visitation will be at St. Jude Catholic Church from 9 to 11 am on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Fr. Trey Nelson. Burial immediately following at the St. George Catholic Church Mausoleum. Her pallbearers will be her grandchildren. A special thanks to Dr. Richard Lieux, Personal Home Care caregivers Shonda Ellis and Christine Griffin, and Pinnacle Hospice for the special care given over the last months of her life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society (c/o St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church) or St. Jude the Apostle Church Building Fund (9150 Highland Rd. Baton Rouge, LA 70810).