Marlene Kay Clark

Marlene Kay (Brinkerhoff) Clark, 76, of Mansfield, Georgia, passed away at her home surrounded by family on Saturday, March 3, 2024. Survived by husband R. David Clark and sister Karen (Brinkerhoff) Livengood. Preceded in death by her parents, Burton and Winifred (Hisey) Brinkerhoff and sister Kathy (Brinkerhoff) Holman.

Born November 7, 1947, in Portland, Indiana, Kay was the youngest of three daughters and spent her early childhood in nearby Montpelier before moving to Indianapolis in 1956. Alongside her sisters and father, she played the drums in the family band "The Three K's" and graduated in 1965 from North Central High School before matriculating to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. A member of Alpha Chi Omega and the Homecoming Court, Kay graduated from Purdue with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in 1969.

Married at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Indianapolis on the day before she received her diploma, Kay then joined Dave in Georgia, and in August 1969, she opened Wood Acres Country Day School in Marietta. From those humble beginnings with 17 kindergarten students housed in just two rooms, over the next 33 years she oversaw tremendous growth and the school's ultimate relocation to a 10-acre campus with nine buildings housing over 700 prekindergarten through fifth-grade students. Kay served as the co-Owner and sole Director of the school until her retirement in 2002.

A tireless worker and passionate about education, Kay impacted the lives of over 4,000 children during her tenure at Wood Acres. In recognition of her efforts, she was awarded the Cobb Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year (East Cobb Division) for 1988. In 2004, Purdue University honored Kay as a distinguished alumnus when she received the School of Education Community Achievement Award for commitment and dedication to providing children in her community with an exceptional educational experience in a nurturing environment.

Throughout her life, Kay was a dedicated philanthropist, supporting organizations including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, American Heart Association, Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, Habitat for Humanity, Nature Conservancy, Hillsdale College, Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Gamma Rho, Special Olympics, Washington Township Schools, several food banks, and numerous other charities. The daughter of a Purdue basketball player, Kay was also a lifelong supporter of the Boilermakers. She was a member of the Purdue Alumni Association, the President's Council, and a generous benefactor of the College of Education.

Kay was a member of the Pine Grove Ladies' Club, where she served as Recording Secretary. Kay also loved animals, operating the AKC registered "Brinclair" kennel with her husband, as well as raising Tennessee Walking Horses on their property in Mansfield.

Inurnment will be at the St. Luke's United Methodist Church Columbarium in Indianapolis. We are in the process of arranging a celebration of life and details will be announced soon.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.