November 25, 2022
The East Central Community College family mourns the passing of Workforce Development Coordinator and ECCC Warrior golf coach, Chris Clark.
Clark, 59, of Decatur passed away Thursday, November 24, 2022, at Laird Hospital in Union. He was born July 27, 1963, in Kosciusko, MS.
"We are all shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Chris," said East Central Community College President Dr. Brent Gregory. "Chris was not only a great co-worker and coach, but he was a friend to everyone on campus and his genuine personality will be missed by all at the college and in the community."
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, November 27, 2022, at Clarke Venable Baptist Church, Decatur, MS. Visitation will be held Saturday, November 26, 2022, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Newton County Funeral Home North (9998 Hwy 15 North, Newton, MS). Rev. Mark Vincent and Rev. Kelvin Boone will officiate. Newton County Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Chris graduated from Decatur High School in 1981 and was known as a gifted athlete, fierce competitor, and one of the nicest guys in the school. He played basketball and baseball in high school, golf, baseball, and tennis at East Central Community College, and was inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame. Chris graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1985 earning the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. Chris worked for La-z-Boy and East Central Community College where he coached the golf team and worked in the Workforce development department where he oversaw training opportunities for district businesses and companies.
Chris enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and investing in the lives of students at his Church, Clarke Venable Baptist Church. Clark served as a deacon and often chaperoned student events such as Centrifuge, Mission Fuge, and Disciple Now. Chris also taught the third and fourth-grade boys' Sunday School class at CVBC.
Chris is preceded in death by his father, Joe Clark; grandparents, Alton and Mattie Lee Johnson and Marzene and Odessa Clark. He is survived by his mother Carolyn Clark; wife, Sandy Hemmingway Clark; son, Luke Clark; daughter, Olivia Clark; brothers Kevin Clark and Stan Clark (Melba); nephews, Thomas and Andrew Clark; nieces, Riley Kate and Dru Sheppard; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Shannon and Johnny Sheppard; father-in-law, Wayne Hemmingway (Marie); mother-in-law, Sue Hemmingway.
Pallbearers will be Chris Vance, Scotty Russell, Chris Harris, Cole Harris, Graham Clarke, Robert Munn, Joel Nelson, and Roger Whitlock.
Honorary pallbearers are Michael Alexander, Joseph Knight, Ronnie Westbrook, Don Munn, Jeff Ezelle, Scott Hill, and all current and former East Central Community College golfers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Clarke Venable Baptist Church Children's ministry.
(Obituary by Newton County Funeral Home)
