Cornelia Ann Clark

Cornelia Ann Bruce Clark died on December 11, 2019 at Sentara Hospital in Williamsburg VA of heart failure. She was born on February 27, 1934 in Newport News, VA, the daughter of Virginia A. Lenz Bruce and Roland Everett Bruce.

Ann graduated from New Hanover High School of Wilmington, NC class of 1952. She attended East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. She then worked with the US Customs House in Wilmington, NC before marrying Capt. William B. Clark, USCG. She served with him in New Orleans, LA, Honolulu, HI, Fairfax, VA, Petaluma, CA, New York City, Boston, MA and Yorktown VA where Capt. Clark was the Commanding Officer of the USCG Yorktown Training Center. They settled in after military life at Destrehan, LA and retired in Williamsburg, VA, her native home.

Ann was a respected and honored civic activist for over 20 years in Destrehan, LA, Williamsburg, VA and the Tidewater area of VA. She was a member and Chairman of the St Charles Parish Planning and Zoning Board in St Charles Parish, LA, an Elected Commissioner, Republican State Central Committee and the Political Action Committee in St Charles Parish, LA. In addition to her political service she was also a Board Member and founder of the Destrehan Women’s Auxiliary at Destrehan Plantation and River Road Historic Society. Upon her move to her native Virginia, she then served as Vice Regent of the Comte de Grasse Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, President of the Jamestown Council of Republican Women, and Board member of the Virginia Federation of Republican Women. In addition, she was a Board member of: Jamestown Yorktown Foundation, Virginia Historic Preservation Foundation, Yorktown Art Museum, The Historic Route 5 Foundation founder, Colonial Chapter of APVA, Watermen’s Museum, Museum of the Confederacy and the Tidewater Genealogy Society. She also is a member of Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, VA. She led by example employing a kind, compassionate and gracious demeanor to all of her endeavors. A true Southern Lady.

In the moments of free time she enjoyed activities with her children and grandchildren, riding their boat on the James River, playing golf while planning and attending social events, and supporting Bruton Parish Church.

She is survived by her twin sister, Nancy Bishop of Greensboro, NC; her oldest son, Bruce L. Clark of Raleigh, NC; her daughter Joy Ann Higbie and her husband, Patrick Higbie of Centreville, VA; her youngest son Scott W. Clark of Cary, NC and 6 grandsons: Austin B. Clark of Dallas, TX, W. Casey Clark of San Diego, CA, Denny Clark of Raleigh, NC, LT Michael P. Higbie USCG, Cape Cod, MA, Ryan S. Higbie of Tampa, FL and Tyler B. Clark of Raleigh, NC; and her first granddaughter Chole Ann Clark who is expected in February. She also has 3 great grandsons and 2 great granddaughters.

A service of remembrance will be held at Bruton Parish Church, Williamsburg, VA on Saturday, December 21st, 2019 at 1 pm. A reception in the social hall of the church will follow till 3 pm. She will be laid to rest at a future date with her beloved husband in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Those who wish to remember Ann in a special way can make gifts on her behalf to Bruton Parish Church or the American Heart Association.