Bernice Howard Clark

Bernice Howard Clark, 99, entered eternal rest peacefully on Thursday, July 28, 2022.  Bernice was born on November 8, 1922, to Rena Jackson and Willie Howard in Beaumont, Texas. After the deaths of both parents before Bernice's 4th birthday, she was raised by her paternal uncle Fred Howard and his wife Eliza Clark.

After graduating from Hebert High School in 1940, she enrolled at Prairie View State Normal and Industrial College now known as Prairie View A&M University where she graduated in 1944 with a nursing degree.

She was a devoted wife to the love of her life Clarence A. Clark, who was affectionately called "Doll" for 57 years and a loving mother to Sheridan Marie, John David, and Rena Faye. They shared a wonderful life together and raised their family in the Pear Orchard section of Beaumont.

A lifelong member of St. James United Methodist Church, she and Clarence brought up their children and grandchildren to know and love God. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, a member of the Faith group, the Choir, Sunday School teacher, member of the bereavement ministry, and her most cherished responsibility overseeing the floral program for the church for many years.

After college, she spent some time in New Orleans working at Charity Hospital before returning to Beaumont, Texas where she was a Registered Nurse for 43 years and practiced as a school nurse for a short period before serving at Hotel Dieu Hospital, Sprott Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital, Douglas Hospital and finally was a nursing supervisor at the Beaumont City Health Department where she retired in November 1987.  She loved nursing and the impact that care and kindness could have on patients.

She is preceded in death by her parents, loving husband, her daughter, Sheridan English Mouton and her sister Geraldine Ryles.

She is survived by her son, John David Clark of Beaumont, her daughter, Rena Clark of Boston, MA, her brother-in-law, Leon (Lovie) S. Clark of Saginaw, MI, grandchildren, Nicholas Kennedy of Beaumont, TX, Steven (Ashley) Collins of Lake Charles, LA, Rebecca (Ryan) Babineaux of Cibolo, TX, Shawn (Edvany) Mouton of Port Arthur, TX and Sydney Eliza Clark of Boston, MA and great-grandchildren, Steven DiMarco, Breanna Ahlyce, Bryant Avery, Beckett Asher, Micah Adam and Shawn Ryan, Jr.  She also leaves, cousins, nieces, nephews, their spouses and children, church family, neighbors and friends.

The visiting hour will be on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at Mercy Funeral Home from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. followed by a private Graveside Service family only.

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held December 17, 2022 at St. James United Methodist Church in Beaumont, Texas with details to follow.