Mary Clark

Mary Marcella Clark, 81, formerly of Fulton, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2013, at the Rosewood Health Center in Independence. She was born in Mingo, Missouri, on March 18, 1932, to Edward and Mary Anne Roberts Simpson. Marcella was valedictorian of the Puxico High School class of 1950 and graduated with honors from the Missouri State Teachers College and the University of Missouri. She was a teacher and elementary school counselor for 31 years in the Fulton School District. She was president of the Eta Chapter of DKG, Fulton ABWA, Mid-Missouri School Counselor Association and the Fulton Community Teachers Association. She was a member of the State Executive Board of School Counselors, the Fulton Art League, the Callaway Hospital Auxiliary, the Groves Resident Council, and an adult advisor for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. She was named Kingdom of Callaway Retired Educator of the Year and the Fulton ABWA Woman of the Year. Marcella was a strong advocate for children and the disabled. On June 6, 1954, Marcella married LaRoy D. Clark who preceded her in death, as did her parents, four brothers and one sister. She is survived by her children, Larna (Brad) Constance of Independence, Missouri; Neil (Mary) Clark of Florissant, Missouri; and Roger (Leanne) Clark of Fulton, Missouri, along with her grandchildren: John, Keith, Dan, Adam, Brandy, R.J, Nicklaus, Alex and Megan and her great- grandchildren, Raina and Cole. She is also survived by two brothers, Tom (Nelda) Simpson of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and Jerry Simpson of Spokane, Washington. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 20, 2013, at the Debo Funeral Home, Fulton, Missouri, with later burial at the Lakeside Cemetery in Sumner, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marcella Clark Educators Grant Fund at the Truman Heartland Community Foundation, 4200 Little Blue Parkway, Independence, Missouri, 64055.