Jean Clark

Jean Etta Clark, age 86, of Little Rock, died Sunday, December 7, 2025, at the Comfort Care Center, after a long battle with cancer. She was born May 24, 1939, in Fayetteville.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Glenna Cox; her husband, James V. Clark; a brother, Keith Cox; and a sister, Eva Joyce Anderson.

She is survived by three daughters: Judith Clark (Hendrik Kraay), Vonda Stepp (Bob), and Rhonda Clark (James Henderson). She is also survived by four grandchildren, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Above all, Jean valued her roles as a homemaker and church member. James' career took the family to several cities in Arkansas, including Augusta, Manila, Osceola, Conway, Danville, Russellville, and Maumelle. Jean and James always joined a local Baptist church, and Jean volunteered and served in various church roles wherever they were. In her later years, Jean especially enjoyed serving in the hospitality/funeral ministry as well as visiting with shut-ins and nursing home residents. She was a long-time volunteer with seniors at Second Baptist Church in Russellville and enjoyed traveling with them on the church bus to events and activities of all kinds. From her Sunday School class at Second Baptist Church in Russellville, to her Tele-Bible class at Emmanual Baptist Church in Little Rock, she remained an active participant in social and Bible study activities.

Like many homemakers of her generation, she also served as a Girl Scouts leader and volunteered at her children's schools. Jean and James spent countless hours supporting the Russellville High School band program by maintaining the concession stands.

Jean and James always had a garden (sometimes two), and the family ate out of it year-round. In summer, the kids could only watch television if they were shelling peas or snapping beans for freezing and canning at the same time. She made the best fried okra on the planet. When she went home to her parents' farm at the right time of the year, she would fill big paper grocery bags with foraged poke salat, as many as would fit in the car, and she was always on the lookout for black walnuts. She enjoyed taking grandkids to pick berries and peaches.

Jean always loved feeding and watching birds. During the Pandemic shutdown, she became an even more enthusiastic birder, often talking about the rarer birds that had come to her feeders. She especially loved the many hummingbirds she attracted.

Jean treasured her friends and had many friendships that endured over decades. She stayed in touch with cards, letters, phone calls, and eventually even emails. She remained independent and active until only about six months before her death.

Jean touched the lives of many people who admired and loved her. Donations in her memory may be made to Second Baptist Church of Russellville, Arkansas, the American Cancer Society, or CARTI Cancer Center in Little Rock.

A family conducted memorial service will take place in the Spring of 2026, and arrangements were under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

Online guestbook and condolences available at www.shinnfuneral.com.