Elizabeth Claire Clark

Elizabeth Claire Heim Clark, 66, left this world peacefully from her ‘cottage’ in Fort Jesup, LA on February 1, 2025, and went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, where, undoubtedly, she heard His words, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant!” 

She was born on September 10th, 1958 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Raymond and Nina Heim, but, at an early age, went to live with her maternal grandparents, James and Melba Griffith, who provided a wonderful, nurturing, Christian upbringing. “Claire,” as she was called in her elementary and high school years, graduated from Shreveport’s CE Byrd High School in 1976 and went on to Louisiana College in Pineville, where she graduated in 1980 with a B.A. in Elementary Education. While at Louisiana College, Elizabeth met and, after graduation, married Richard Clark. She taught at many schools in the Alexandria area, touching countless lives. She was also very involved in local church and community activities through her years in Cenla. In 2007, Elizabeth and Richard moved to Cane River in Natchitoches for retirement, but the love of teaching was still in her, and she began teaching high school English at some of the high schools in the area. As expected, she became involved in local church and civic events in the Natchitoches area. Retirement finally came in 2020 and in early 2024, Elizabeth and Richard built their second retirement home (cottage) in beautiful Fort Jesup. She loved her Fort Jesup cottage, where she enjoyed watching her ‘redbirds and deer’ in her back yard. 

Elizabeth is survived by her loving husband of nearly 45 years, Richard Clark, her daughters Courtnie Clark (Bethany) of Alexandria and Meredith Rennier (Vern) of Alexandria, and sisters Diana Heim Carney (Mark) of Henderson, TX and Debi Heim Christy of Kilgore, TX. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren - Austin Rennier (Haleigh), Shaun Rennier, Emma Myers, Cheyenne Rennier, Natalie Graves, Tucker Graves, DJ Graves, Payton Rennier, and Fitz Clark. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, and brother, Jimmy Heim, as well as her beloved in-laws, Louis and Omeria Clark, whom she loved dearly. 

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, February 5th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, Louisiana. A ‘Celebration of Life’ service will be at FUMC Natchitoches Crossroads on Thursday, February 6th at 12:00 PM with Rev. Gary Willis and Rev. Ross English officiating, with visitation at the church at 11:00 AM before the service. Interment and a short graveside service will be at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery in Pineville, LA at 2:30 PM. 

Pallbearers will be Vern Rennier, Tucker Graves, DJ Graves, Jonathan Hudspeth, Tanner Mizell, and Sonny Lavespere, with Fitz Clark serving as an honorary pallbearer. 

The family would like to express gratitude and appreciation to the Rapides Regional Cancer Center, Hospice of Natchitoches, and a host of friends for their support through this journey. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to FUMC Natchitoches Youth Group and the American Cancer Society in Elizabeth’s memory.