Ann Porter Price Clark, 83, died September 7, 2023 in Pine Bluff. Ann Porter was born, October 13, 1939, to Dr. John (Johnnie) Porter Price and Anna Corinne Beasley Price. To be raised by these parents in Monticello was the best start in life. Aunts and Uncles, cousins and neighbors, and friends shaped Ann’s young life until she left Monticello in 1957 for Virginia and Mary Baldwin College.
After two years at Mary Baldwin, Ann Porter transferred to U of A Fayetteville where she began lifelong friendships in the Chi Omega house. Following graduation in 1961, the next stop was Emory University, leading to a job at UAMS as a Medical Record Administrator.
The best adventure of all began in 1964 with Ann’s 59 year marriage to Dr. James Frank Clark, Jr. Ann and Jim lived first in Homestead, Fla., where Jim served in the US Air Force, followed by Jim’s Pathology Residency, which took them to Galveston, Texas. As the Residency ended, JRMC in Pine Bluff needed a Pathologist. Their final move was to Pine Bluff in 1969. For the next 54 years, Ann and Jim lived in Pine Bluff, raised their family, and enjoyed life together with their extended family and friends.
Their children, James (Jay) F. Clark III and Suzanne Nesbitt Clark Pate and grandchildren gave Ann the greatest joy. Jay is married to Christina Rossi Clark, and their children are Mary Porter Clark and James Frank Clark IV. Suzanne was married to Dr. K. Bradley Pate, and their daughter is Charlotte Meriwether Pate.
Ann had no siblings; instead, she formed the closest of bonds with aunts, cousins, and longtime friends. She especially enjoyed the friendships with her Mother-in-Law, Marguerite Clark; and Cousins, John Porter Price, Sarah Herring, and Dr. G. Frank Herring.
Ann is survived by childhood friends, Anne Smith Ojalehto, Janet Porter Blackwell, and Martha Trotter Kurad. Bringing love and good cheer throughout her illness were Karen Johnson, Kathryn Harrelson, Susan Norton, Ann Pugh, Denise Gray, Helen Claire Brooks, Pat Lile, Suzanne Wiechern, Ginny Clement, and Kitty Rubenstein. Neal Anderson, Dorothy Wonder, and Marilyn Taggart are thanked for their everyday care and support. The Clark family is grateful to Dr. J. Clyde Campbell, Dr. Larisa Kachowski, and Rhonda Grimes, R.N. for their excellent medical care.
Ann was a natural volunteer. She had multiple interests and was a member of many clubs and community organizations, and did she ever enjoy entertaining. Holidays and special occasions were great times to celebrate with family and friends. Always a reader, Ann was also a traveler, and a letter writer.
For over 45 years, the First Presbyterian Church was first in Ann’s heart. It was her second home and fulfilled her desire to serve alongside good friends. Baptized as an infant, Ann placed her faith in Jesus at age 12. She loved her Lord and was thankful to Him for her salvation.
In 2015 she became a Watchcare member of Pine Bluff’s First Baptist Church, where her study of The Bible deepened with teachers Cuba Keaton and Pastor Ken Thornton. Ann Porter loved her Mary-Martha classmates. She thought it a special place to be on Sunday mornings.
Inherited from her genealogist mother, Ann was fascinated with the puzzle solving of family history. She liked the solitude of cemeteries, especially Columbia Cemetery in Waldo, where she cared for family graves and will also be buried.
Ann’s funeral service was held at the First Baptist Church, 6501 S. Hazel St., Pine Bluff, 71603, on Monday, September 11, 2023 at 10:30 A.M. Music minister is Bryan Bolton, and the Pianist is Erin Bolton.
Following the funeral service, the burial was at 3:15 P.M., at Columbia Cemetery, 4561 US-371, Waldo, AR 71770 by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors.
Memorial gifts will be welcomed by our animal friends at the Jefferson County Humane Society, P. O. Box 2233, Pine Bluff, AR 71613; Columbia Cemetery, ℅ Mary Ann Aldridge, 22 Broadmoor, Magnolia, AR 71753; Neighbor to Neighbor, 1419 S. Pine St., Pine Bluff, AR 71601; or the First Baptist Church, 6501 S. Hazel St., Pine Bluff, AR 71603.
Online register: www.RalphRobinsonandSon.com
