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Mark Steadman Obituary
Clemson - Dr. Mark S. Steadman, Jr. of Clemson, SC, died peacefully Thursday morning, February 6, 2020, of natural causes while surrounded by loved ones.
Mark was an esteemed member of the faculty at Clemson University from 1957 until his retirement in 1997. He was beloved and admired by most of his thousands of students. He taught a wide spectrum of classes at Clemson including The American Novel, American Literature and Twentieth Century Fiction. He also started and taught a course on American Humor and Creative Writing. He was Writer-in-Residence at Clemson from 1980-1997. He was awarded the honors of Alumni Distinguished Professor of English and Writer in Residence Emeritus upon his retirement in 1997.
Mark was Visiting Professor of American Literature at the American University in Cairo where he lived for a year with his wife Jo Steadman and his sons Clay, Todd, and Wade. Subsequently he was granted a Fulbright Lecturer in American Literature at Leningrad State University in 1983 in the former Soviet Union.
In addition to publishing dozens of short stories and articles, Steadman was the author of four novels; McAfee County (which was named Best First Novel of the Year by Britannica Books) A Lions Share (awarded the best work of fiction by a South Carolina writer), Angel Child, and Bang Up Season. Steadman was inducted into the South Carolina Academy of Authors in 2002.
Mark cared deeply about fairness and justice and was active in the Civil Rights Movement of the 60's to help ease the transition of desegregation. He was also an accomplished carpenter who built fine furniture, a boat, and the family home.
Mark was the son of Mark Sidney Steadman and Marie Hopkins Steadman. He is predeceased by his son Clayton and survived by his wife Joan Anderson Steadman and sons Todd and Wade. He has 7 grandchildren: Miranda, Garrett, Charlotte, Angie, Robin, Olivia, and Luca, and 5 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Elizabeth Burkes of Clemson.
A celebration of his life will take place at 2:30 on Saturday February 22, 2020 at Duckett Funeral Home in Central, SC (www.RobinsonFuneralHomes.com). In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Clayton Steadman Endowment at Clemson University (which honors Mark's late son) by contacting the CU Foundation at 864-656-5896 or sending checks payable to the CU Foundation "for" the Clay Steadman Endowment to PO Box 1889, Clemson, SC 29633.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mark Steadman
Sponsored by Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home - Central.
Owen Allen
May 25, 2022
I just learned today that my old friend Mark has died. I'm planning a visit to Clemson soon, and was going to try to look him up. I was an English major under him in the late 1950s, and he was a big influence on my life. Jo, if you read this, please know that I respected Mark and have missed him over the years. I wish I could have told him that I now hold five degrees including a doctorate, and that I have traveled in 65 countries and had many adventures. I have continuing writing, and have written ten books, and operated a blog and a podcast since I studied under Mark. Jo, my prayers and thoughts are with you and the boys. Signed, Owen ("Jesse") Allen, Ph.D., President, The Christian Family Online in America, Greensboro, NC.
ALLEN WOOD
June 29, 2020
I am very sad to read in "Clemson World" of the passing of Dr. Mark Steadman. I was an architecture student and not a very good student in English. I was very fortunate to have Dr. Steadman for a required freshman english course. I loved him and his class and took two more elective classes that he taught. I barely passed any of the courses, but he had profound influence on my life and my love of southern literature. Dr. Steadman and his classes are some of my most treasured Clemson memories
Allen Wood,
Clemson University Trustee Emeritus
Ken Grant
February 27, 2020
I'm saddened by the passing of Mark Steadman. I had him as an undergraduate in the late 1960's and as a graduate student in the early '70's. Being in English education, I had occasional contact with him over the years. He was a remarkable man, one who could balance a professorial oversight with a warm encouragement to his students. Two images of Dr. Steadman remain with me after all these years. First is a visual: he sits cross-legged on a classroom table, pipe in hand, dressed in coat and tie while he dispenses insights into modern British and American literature. He could've been Marlow on the deck of the "Nellie." The second is aural, his laugh that showed his keen appreciation of the complex comedy of life--not a mean laugh, but one that brought his students to him, not held them at bay.
I wish for the family the gradual grace of acceptance as God works His way through time.
Ken Grant
Liberty, SC
2/26/2020
Peggy Gentle
February 20, 2020
Dear Jo, Wade, Todd & Steadman Family,
I just happened across Mark's obituary here on Facebook this evening and am so so sad! I'm in tears! He was such a dear dear man. I'll never forget all the wonderful times at your home! Such gracious times with warm fellowship, wonderful food, and just pure JOY! Mark was a man of deep humility---so so rare! I loved his humor! My prayer is that God will give you comfort as you grieve the loss of your dear beloved Mark. Love & Blessings to you all! Peggy Gentle (formerly Peggy Stinson)
Elaine and
February 19, 2020
Mac and I are so sad to read of Marks death!! We have let Chic Stinson know of this. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Elaine Horton
David Moorhead
February 19, 2020
DR Steadman was my English professor during my freshman year at Clemson in 1960. What an outstanding professor!! I have forgotten many of my professors, but I still have special memories DR Steadman. My sincerest condolences to the family.
John B. Padgett
February 17, 2020
I learned so much from Dr. Steadman when I was a student at Clemson in the 1980s -- in addition to the regular classes I took from him, he served as my senior honors thesis director when I was an undergrad and he was on my oral exam committee when I was a grad student earning my Master's. A kind-hearted, genuinely caring man, he affected my life and academic career in ways too innumerable to count, but perhaps most significantly, when I decided to pursue a Ph.D. and become a college English professor myself, I tried to model myself after him: both in his classes and by his example, he taught me how to teach, how to write, how to engage with students, how to laugh (and make others laugh), and in a nutshell, how to BE in the presence of students. Thank you, Dr. Steadman, for showing so many of us how it's done.
Kathryn Arden
February 17, 2020
Thinking of you and the family at this difficult time. Dr. Steadman was such a special person. He will be missed by so many friends and family.
Dave Farmer
February 12, 2020
Dr. Steadman was my favorite teacher during my time at Clemson in the late 70s. I had him for at least three classes. In his American Humor class, he passed on to me his appreciation of Ring Lardner and, especially, S. J. Perelman. I still recall his distinctive chuckle when he read to us. Leading his creative writing courses, he was an encouraging and constructive mentor. He enjoyed his students, as he and his beloved Jo invited whole classes to their home. A few years after I graduated, I returned to his office one day with a copy of McAfee County, which I had found among a bunch of prop books on the shelves of a viewing room at a local funeral home. I told him that I had acquired it when I hid it under my coat and walked out with it, the last time I ever stole something, but worth the risk. He laughed and autographed the book, writing that the story of how [you] got the book should be IN the book. I thought of him often over the years, though I didn't see him again. Even so, it is sad to know that he is no longer among us. I would like to extend my sympathies to his family and to tell them that he will be remembered fondly by more people than they can know.
Russell Hall
February 11, 2020
I am one of those whose life was touched by Dr. Steadman. Although I ran into him only once after graduating from Clemson, through the years I've thought about him often, always with great fondness. In my senior year I heard about -- and joined -- the student group the Calhoun Literary Society, and thus became one in a long line of students who benefited from Dr. Steadman's wisdom and humor and tutelage. To this day I have friends who were part of that group, and I have no doubt they would all agree that Dr. Steadman's love of literature -- and the kindly way he imparted that love to us -- affected us permanently. My deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this wonderful man.
Ted and Barbara Jennings
February 10, 2020
Jo, we so enjoyed being neighbors in Nord-Lac with your family. We have special memories of lovely dinners at your home and seeing you walk by our house daily. You were so sweet to your mother-in law whom I enjoyed also. Mark's love for you was so evident when I visited with him last week. He'll be missed.
Julie Ibrahim
February 10, 2020
Dear Mrs. Steadman and Todd, Just want you to know how sorry I am to hear of Mark's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I wish you both and the family strength and courage during this difficult time. We so enjoyed being your neighbors in Nord Lac. Seems like ages ago... Sincerely, Julie Ibrahim
Nancy Gee
February 9, 2020
Mark, I just learned of your passing. What a great man you were to me and to those around you. You were Clay's dad, a writer, my English teacher, and a cherished family friend. You and Jo have always been so special to me and the 3 Amigos -- Clay, Me, and Hayden - in those teenage years. I heard your first book included our shenanigans in the characters. I would love having a copy of that book. You and Jo would see all of us on Sunday afternoon when we made our rounds -- but we'd always end up at the Steadman's. Jo, you always fed us well, and we'd be in deep discussion on "making a difference in this world". Mark, thank you for your thoughts, acceptance, your inspiration, and wisdom. YOU Made the Difference in this World! Jo,Todd, Wade, and the Steadman crew, know you all are in my thoughts and know that Clay and Mark are together. I am pleased in that respect. Todd knows I'm close by to help in any way. Remember the Love as I do! "Set the Caged Bird Free" as my mentor, Ms. Maya Angelo wrote. So true, so true!
Chris Benson
February 9, 2020
I was a student and a "mentee" of Mr. Steadman in the 1980s. I learned to write fiction in his class with many of my peers, but I learned more than that, too. His fiction classes, undergraduate and graduate, were very very popular, and Mr. Steadman set an egalitarian tenor in the class. He was very kind and encouraging with his criticism of my writing. He had a lovely wit that was self-deprecating, which was one reason, besides being a great teacher, he was popular with students. His wit was understated. His wise humor often hit me later when I would think of his remarks in class. I won't forget Mr. Steadman's kindness to me, and he was that way with everyone. He had students to his home all the time to celebrate their accomplishments in his class. He was, I am sure, very generous to his colleagues, and he was beloved by his students. I won't forget him as a man who showed young men and women how to live right. God bless him and his family.
Ovid Culler
February 9, 2020
As a freshman in 1959, I was exposed to a young pipe smoking, leather elbow jacketed lit instructor (don't think he was a professor at that time). He even made Elliot's The Wasteland interesting. I gained a much better appreciation of literature from taking his class and have always considered Mark as one of my all time best professors. I'm so sorry for your loss but you were lucky to have been family for his 89 years.
steve davis
February 9, 2020
He was my thesis director. An incredibly kind professor. I can still see him driving around Central in his white pick-up truck, in my mind.
Wayne Ball
February 9, 2020
I am sending prayers to the family. I grew up with them and I am certain my parents knew them as well.
Susan Hilligoss
February 8, 2020
Mark was kind and decent to everyone he encountered, including junior faculty like me. He kept his talent and erudition under wraps, preferring to meet students and faculty where they were in their paths to learning. He and Jo generously invited everyone in our department, which was huge, to their home for lovely parties. He helped one of my colleagues during a difficult time, and Im sure it was just one of his many generous gifts of time to others. Im very sorry. My best to his family.
Mark Charney
February 8, 2020
Mark not only taught me creative writing when I was an undergraduate, but as his colleague when I taught in the Department of English, and later when I chaired it, Mark was the epitome of grace, generosity, humor, and brilliance. He and Jo represented a different, better age, one of true nobility. There are no better hosts, no better colleagues, no better teachers. He will live on through his writing and his teaching. Jo, sending you so much love and so many happy memories. Love.
Diane Langos
February 8, 2020
A great teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others.
Lisa Roach-Beeler
February 7, 2020
Went to school with Wade. Thoughts and prayers to the family❤
Elwyn and Nancy Deal
February 7, 2020
Our thoughts ad prayers are with the Steadman family.
Bruce Langos
February 7, 2020
I am very saddened to learn of Mark's passing. His accomplishments in life are to be admired by all. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
Theresa Cooper
February 7, 2020
Oh, Jo! I am so sorry to hear about Mark. I know how much you loved and adored him. I sure wish that we were home so that I could support you during this difficult time. I will see you later in the month. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Jeff, Mother, and Brandon send their condolences and love as well. I love you, Theresa Cooper
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