Ila Clark

Bluefield, WV- Ila Margaret Shumate Clark passed away on Thursday December 15, 2011 in her home surrounded by loved ones. She was the daughter of the late Henry Alexander Shumate and Myrtle Daubenspeck Shumate. She was 91 years of age and born at Green Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. She was preceded in death by her husband Martin H Clark, her parents, sisters: Gladys Hill, Fern Gwinn, Marie Atkins, Helen, Ina and one brother Ross Shumate. She is survived by one brother Charles Shumate of Ohio, three sons: Martin A Clark and wife Martha of Ball Ground Georgia, Phillip A Clark of Birmingham, Alabama, and Samuel W Clark and wife Sue of Bluefield, West Virginia. Five grandchildren: Suzanne Clark Faircloth and husband Jonathan, S. Burton Clark, Daniel P. Clark, Richard A. Clark and wife Christen and Virginia Clark; great-granddaughter, Charis A. Clark; several nieces and nephews and faithful care givers Holly Brooks, Peggy Sullivan and Ann Bradberry. Ila graduated from Green Sulpher District High School at Sandstone and West Virginia Business College, Bluefield, West Virginia. Shortly after graduation, she went to work at Bluefield Supply where she met and married her husband Martin H Clark of fifty years. They were blessed with three wonderful sons, two dogs: Rex and George and a duck. She was a good mother, a constant source of love and devotion and support to her family and church. She quit work at Bluefield Supply to be a homemaker for several years. She loved to cook for her family and friends, and was a caregiver to her family and dear friends Josephine Cox and Juanita Bowers for several years. She loved to sew, knit, crochet, needle point and cross-stitch. Ila was a member of First Baptist Church of Bluefield for many years and was a member of the Encourager's Sunday School Class and Joan Carter Hancock Circle. She was a fifty-year member of the Eastern Star and The United Daughters of the Confederacy. She was also a member of the Union Mission Auxiliary, St. Luke's Hospital Senior Friends and Red Hat Society of Bluefield, and County and State Retired School Employee. Ila enjoyed her years as secretary at Preston Street Elementary School for eighteen years and Cumberland Heights Elementary School for four years where she retired in 1985. Ila was past president of Cumberland Heights School PTA, past president of Mercer County PTA. She was awarded life membership of the state and county PTA. She loved to travel with Senior Friends of St. Lukes, Jenny Riley, and the "Live Long and Love Group from First Baptist Church. Ila lived a full and wonderful life. She met every challenge with a smile that sustained and supported her through the years. Viewing will be Sunday December 18 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm and funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Mercer Funeral Home, Bluefield, West Virginia with Pastor Ed Fisher officiating. Daniel Clark and Wilma Hatcher will provide music prior to funeral services. Graveside rites will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Pall Bearers are: Burton Clark, Daniel Clark, Richard Clark, Jonathan Faircloth, Rick Goforth and Steve Watson. Memorial contributions, if desired, can be made to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 5103, Princeton, WV 24701. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Clark Family.