Karen Lee Clark

Announcing the passing of Karen Lee Hallam Clark, age 77, most recently residing in Ocean Ridge Plantation within the city of Ocean Isle Beach, NC. Karen passed away peacefully within “The Barclay” Memory Care facility in Little River, SC and under the wonderful care of a team from Agape Hospice from Myrtle Beach on June 27, 2025.

Karen’s life began on October 29, 1947 as the daughter of Esther May Graham Hallam and David C. Hallam in the county of Allegheny, Pittsburgh, PA. Her early life found her struggling after contracting polio at the age of 3 and then losing her father when she was 7. Karen and her mother had inseparable bonds throughout life. She graduated from North Allegheny HS in the North Hills of Pittsburgh in 1965 and Baldwin Wallace College (Berea, Ohio) in 1969 with a degree in Spanish. She added a Master’s Degree in 1988.

Karen married William Whittier Clark (Whit) on August 2, 1969 and began their married life living in Parma Heights, Ohio while teaching Spanish at nearby Valley Forge HS. Ryan Christopher was added to our family in October of 1981 and Lauren Elizabeth was added in December of 1983, at which time Karen started back to resume her career at Parma Senior HS. She loved teaching and her students. She became a Jennings Scholar for her work in Education. It was the perfect career for her and her students loved her methodology and her ability to help them learn a new language. She retired from the Parma Schools in 2004 after teaching for 35 years, and immediately moved to Ocean Isle Beach, NC to begin our retirement adventure.

We were lucky to travel a good deal throughout retirement and enjoyed several special adventures at Lake Lure, NC (yearly) and several trips to Europe. Karen took students to Spain several times as an extension of their Spanish studies.

Karen is survived by her husband, William “Whit” Clark, her son Ryan Christopher (Mandy) (Summerville, SC), daughter Lauren Elizabeth Townsend (Brad) (Summerville, SC); 5 grandchildren (Syrena 20, Nathan 18, Kaden 13, Luke 10, Jackson 6) ; brother John H Auld (Pat) and nieces/nephews Daniel, Trevor, Becky and Sunny and several great nieces and nephews. We also need to recognize the many close friends that graced our lives over the years that had certainly found a love for Karen.

A service honoring Karen’s life and opening her pathway to her Lord will be held at St Luke Lutheran Church, 5869 Ocean Hwy (Rt 17), Ocean Isle Beach, NC at a time and date in July to be decided. We welcome all that knew Karen to attend that service. Following that service, the family will greet attendees in the fellowship hall where people can also share in a light reception.

In the fall, a Celebration of Life will be held in the Cleveland area honoring Karen. No location or date has been finalized at this time.

Please make any memorial contributions or monetary gifts in her memory to The Alzheimer’s Foundation; or to Agape Hospice, Myrtle Beach, SC.; or to St. Luke Lutheran Church, Ocean Isle Beach, NC. Thank you