Stella Clark

Stella Carol Clark, age 80, of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday evening, February 22, 2026, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by the love and comfort of her family at the time of her passing.

Born at home in Mine 18 (Strunk, Kentucky) on September 17, 1945, Stella was the daughter of the late Edward and Gladys (Stephens) Musgrove. She was raised in McCreary County, Kentucky, a place she always considered home.

Stella met the love of her life, Lenville Clark, and the couple married on June 29, 1968. They began their life together in Columbus, Ohio, where they lived from 1968 to 1973. With three children in tow, they eventually returned to McCreary County to raise their growing family. In her later years, Stella made her home in Oak Ridge, TN to be closer to family.

Stella and Lenville were blessed with four daughters, and she was also honored to raise two outstanding young men as her sons. She lovingly raised her oldest granddaughter, who was like a daughter to her. Stella was a proud grandmother and great grandmother, cherishing each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was especially grateful to meet the newest member of the family – her precious namesake, baby Estella.

Having lost her parents at a younger age, Stella formed a special bond with her husbands’ parents and siblings; loving them as her own. She was deeply devoted to her own siblings and helped raise them, often taking on a motherly role in their lives. Stella also opened her heart and home to many others — caring for friends in times of need and welcoming numerous foster children into her home over the years. Above all else, Stella’s greatest joy in life was her family.

She enjoyed traveling – especially anything involving Alaska – as well as reading, gardening, caring for animals, and spending time with those she loved. In October, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by traveling to Alaska to witness the northern lights, a trip she often described as the experience of a lifetime. Stella also had a knack for light carpentry and found great joy in building things with her own hands. She even helped remodel her home, taking pride in the work she accomplished.

Stella worked for many years at ABC in Pine Knot, Kentucky, and later at Academy Broadway, where she remained until her retirement. She formed many cherished friendships throughout her career, including her lifelong best friend, Corita Douglas, with whom she was recently blessed to spend time. Stella was known for her strong work ethic, a value she instilled in her children and grandchildren.

She was a member of Ross Grove United Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, Stella was preceded in death by her husband, Lenville Clark; her brothers, Lloyd Musgrove (Peggy), Billy Musgrove, Delmer Musgrove (Pauline), Ronald Musgrove, Donald Musgrove, her cherished in-laws Raymond and Darkie Clark; sister-in-law Rayma Dean Pierce; and brother-in-law Damon Gibson.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her daughters, Kim Hembree (Archie) of Oneida, Tennessee; Michelle Taylor (Gerald) of Parkers Lake, Kentucky; Shonda Webb (John) of Oneida, Tennessee; and Stacey Foster of Knoxville, Tennessee; and her sons, Noah Baird (Dominique) of Somerset, Kentucky and Thaddeus Baird of Knoxville, Tennessee.

She was the proud grandmother of seven: Whitney Choate (Matthew) of Somerset, Kentucky; Zachery Garrett Taylor (Darcey) of Parkers Lake, Kentucky; Trevor Stevens of Houston, Texas; Dillion Foster (Jared) of Knoxville, Tennessee; Gavin Webb of Knoxville, Tennessee; Evein Taylor of Corbin, Kentucky; and Sydney Foster of Knoxville, Tennessee.

She was also blessed with six great-grandchildren: Harlee Barnett and Estella Choate; Annsley, Loralei and Carson Taylor; and Raegan Carithers.

Stella is further survived by her sister, Lois Shoopman (Roger) of Revelo, Kentucky; sisters-in-law Glenna Parks (Rank) of Bronston, Kentucky; Ila Freeman (Mack), Reba Heath (Lonnie), Kaye Dick, Wanda Gibson; brother-in-law Faron Clark (Melinda), all of McCreary County, Kentucky; along with many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends who will miss her dearly.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM with funeral services to follow at 3 PM in the chapel of McCreary County Funeral Home in Whitley City, Kentucky with Bro. Dwight Davis and son-in-law John Webb officiating.

Committal service will follow in the Sherd Dobbs Cemetery. Pall bearers will be her sons and grandsons.

Music will be provided by Tony Daugherty.

McCreary County Funeral Home entrusted with the arrangements for Stella Carol Clark.