Theodosia "Theo" Elizabeth Clark

Mrs. Theodosia Theo Elizabeth Clark, age 87, a longtime resident of Bolivar, Missouri passed away on Thursday morning, April 7, 2011 at 1:45am at Parkview Healthcare Facility after an extended illness with Alzheimers. Theo and her husband, Dr. B.E. Ed Clark came to Bolivar in 1966 when the Southwest Baptist College (SWBC) was expanding from a two year junior college to a four year baccalaureate program. Theo was born January 15, 1924, the youngest of four children to Joseph Hardy and Theodosia (Johnson) Jones in DeQuincy, Louisiana. She graduated from DeQuincy High School and Louisiana Baptist College in Pineville, LA. with a degree in Education. Theo pursued graduate study at the School of Social Work at Louisiana State University and received The Certificate of Social Welfare. Theo was then employed with the Louisiana Department for The Blind when she met Ed at LSU. Ed and Theo were married on March 24, 1951 at DeQuincy and began their married life in Houston, Texas. Ed was called to active duty in the Army in 1951, and while on active duty, the Clarks lived in New York City and Yokohama, Japan. Upon Eds discharge, they returned to DeQuincy, LA where Ed was in business and Theo taught in the local school system. Their sons Randy and Wayne were born while they lived in DeQuincy. After they came to Bolivar, Ed taught Accounting in the Business Department and Theo served three years as Dean of Women at Southwest Baptist College. Theo then became a classroom teacher in the Bolivar R-1 School District where she taught Junior High English and Social Studies until her retirement in 1986. Theo was a member of the First Baptist Church where she worked with college students and young married couples. She was a member of the Fox Mission Group and past president of the Womens Missionary Union. After retirement Theo enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, playing tennis with friends and the time the Clarks were able to spend at their home on Table Rock Lake. She also volunteered at Polk County Christian Social Ministries. Theo was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, J.H. Jones of Baton Rouge, LA. and Horace L. Jones of DeQuincy, LA and one sister, Anise Mims of Arkadelphia, AR. Theo is survived by her husband of 60 years, Ed Clark of the home, two children, Randy Clark and Dr. Tom Maddox of San Diego, CA. and Wayne Clark and wife Lee Ann of Bolivar, Missouri, and two grandchildren, Lacy, a graduate student in Seattle, WA., and Michael, a freshman Piano Major at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York. Theo will always be remembered as a positive, happy and smiling person who seldom met a stranger. She gave much and is sorely missed by family, friends and acquaintances. Funeral services will be held at 3:30pm, Monday, April 11, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in Bolivar, Missouri with Reverend Billy Russell and Dr. Ray Leininger officiating. Musical selections will be It Is Well With My Soul, Just A Closer Walk With Thee and a congregational song, Victory In Jesus. A video presentation will be played during the funeral service. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar, Missouri. A visitation will be held from 3:00-4:00pm, Sunday afternoon at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. Memorial contributions may be made in Theos Memory, to the First Baptist Church for Missions or the Gideons International. Friends and family may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Theodosia "Theo" Elizabeth Clark

January 15, 1924 - April 7, 2011