Marian Williams Lark

Marian W. Lark was born on January 14, 1928 in Wallis, Texas. As a child, she cultivated an exceptional gift for playing the piano and graduated from Prairie View University in 1947. She continued her music education at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York City. She later attended North Texas State University (currently UNT) and was the first African-American woman to receive a Masters Degree in the Music Department there. In 1956, Marian married James Lark, professor of music at Texas Southern University. To this union, one child was born: Melvin Lark. James and Marian performed as a Jazz duo and performed at many restaurants and supper clubs in Dallas during the 1960’s and 1970’s. After James passing, she continued to perform as a solo artist and received city wide acclaim from the local media. Marian had a great love of children and turned that love into a dedicated and rewarding career as an educator. She taught in the Marshall, Houston and Dallas public schools for 44 years before retiring in 1992. Marian was also an accomplished choir director at several churches in Houston and Dallas. Marian was preceded in death by her husband James Lark, parents J.O. Williams and Senora Lathan Williams, and siblings Joseph Williams Sr., Howard Williams Sr., James Williams Sr., and Bobby Jean Harris. She is survived by her only son Melvin Lark, Nieces Cathy Williams, Beverly Hatchett, Senora Williams-Cogs, Weaser Jo Whitfield, and Vivian Lynn Porche., Nephews Joseph Williams Jr, James Williams Jr., La France Harris Jr., and Brother-in-law La France Harris Sr. and Sister-in-law Artelia Williams.