Ora Christine Clark

"My friends, if you are reading this, you will know I have gone to be with Jesus. I had a wonderful life with a supportive family."
Ora Christine Clark, 69, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2025. She was born on July 1, 1956, in Laurens County, Georgia, to Garland Thompson Clark and Bennie Lee Tapley Sikes Clark. A devoted mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Ora lived a life filled with love, service, and deep compassion.
Ora is survived by her children, Candace Hansen of Charlotte, NC, and Jody Baggett of Dublin, GA; her grandchildren, Joshua Baggett and Morgan White; and her great-granddaughter, Dahlia Rayne White, who brought her immeasurable joy. She is also survived by her sister, Tish Clark, her brother, Merrell "Bud" Sikes, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Mary Charles Sikes; and her brother, Gregory T. Clark.
Ora began her career at Robins Air Force Base in 1977. In 1983, she transferred to the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center, where she truly found her calling. She loved serving veterans, forming meaningful bonds with those she assisted, and dedicated her career to their well-being. Throughout her years at the VA, Ora received several honors, including:
– Department of Veterans Affairs – Above and Beyond Award (2004)
– Department of Veterans Affairs – Health Information Management Professional of the Year (2002)
Alongside her work in health information, she taught related courses part-time for 18–20 years at Heart of Georgia Technical College, sharing her knowledge generously with future professionals.
Ora was dedicated to education-both her own and that of others. She was an honor graduate of West Laurens High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgia College & State University, graduating with honors. She also received her Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification from the American Health Information Management Association and became a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) through the American Academy of Professional Coders.
Ora was a woman of many passions. She loved riding her golf cart, tending her yard and garden, fishing, and especially quilting-creating many cherished quilts over the years. True to her independent spirit, she fulfilled a longtime dream of owning a tractor in 2020, complete with implements. She was always proud of being "just a country girl at heart," deeply connected to the family farm where she grew up.
Animals held a special place in Ora's heart. She never purchased a single pet-she welcomed each one who "just showed up." Among her beloved companions were King Arthur, Girl, Ferdinand, Snickers, Chaka the Cat, and The Big Kahuna. She adored cows, sharing that love with her granddaughter and taking her great-granddaughter to visit cows whenever she could. Ora always said animals were the best, and she meant it.
Above all, Ora's greatest joy was her family. She spoke often of the profound influence her mother, father, Uncle Frank, and Aunt Martha had on her life. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild were her treasures, and she loved them deeply.
Ora's legacy is one of kindness, dedication, humility, and love. She leaves behind a family who will forever cherish her memory and a lifetime of stories woven into the hearts of all who knew her.
Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in the Mary Whitaker Townsend Memorial Chapel at Townsend Brothers Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Clark-Joiner Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 1:00 PM until service hour at the funeral home.
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