Kathryn Lemon Clark

January 31, 1938 - April 4, 2025

West Columbia, South Carolina - Kathryn Lemon Clark, age 87, peacefully passed away on April 4, 2025 at Still Hopes Retirement Community. Kaye was born on January 31, 1938 in Barnwell, SC to Clinton Calhoun Lemon, Sr. and Kathryn Craven Lemon. She enjoyed a happy childhood riding horses at her home, swimming, fishing, and boating at nearby Fuller Pond, and spending summers on Pawleys Island. She developed a love of animals and nature from the start that carried through her life.

Kaye graduated from Barnwell High School in 1956 as class valedictorian. She then attended Converse College and USC, earning a Bachelor's Degree with Honors in 1960 from USC with a major in English and a Minor in Biology. During her college years, she was Activity Co-Chair of the Tri Delta Sorority, and engaged in service opportunities with The Crescent, an honorary service organization.

Upon graduating, Kaye worked as a Medical Research Assistant in Charleston, SC at MUSC. While there, she met her beloved (future) husband, Robert Clark of Walhalla, SC, who was enrolled at MUSC pursuing his M.D. Rob and Kaye married at Barnwell United Methodist Church on April 7, 1962, beginning a life of 63 years together. Their first son, Robert, was born in Charleston in May of 1963.

From Charleston, Kaye, Rob, and Baby Robert moved to Birmingham, Alabama for Rob's medical internship, while Kaye worked in a medical research lab and became the Head of Publicity for the Medical Interns and Residents' Wives Auxiliary Club. After one year, Kaye, Rob, and Baby Robert moved back to Charleston for Rob's 2-year Navy service and 4-year neurology residency. Kaye and Rob's second son, Calhoun, was born in Charleston in May of 1966. The family then returned to Birmingham for Rob's 4-year Neurosurgery residency. While there, Kaye joined The Charity League, a service organization, and resumed membership with the Auxiliary Club. Kaye and Rob's daughter, Gable, was born in Birmingham in June of 1971. In June of 1974, Kaye and her family moved to Columbia, SC where Rob began practicing neurosurgery.

During Kaye's almost 51 years in Columbia, Kaye described her "practice" as children, pets, carpools, home, volunteer work, tennis, book club, entertaining friends, family trips, etc. Kaye had a passion for gardening and was a lifelong member with The Palmetto Garden Club, and member of the Garden Club of America. She participated in many Old Rose Shows, greenery sales, and served as a Board Member and President of the Palmetto Garden Club, receiving the Club Appreciation Award for her valuable service. Kaye and Rob have been members of First Presbyterian Church for decades, which has been a beloved community and place of worship for them. Through First Presbyterian Church, Kaye served on the Laurel Crest Retirement Home committee and then served on the Board of Laurel Crest, helping bring this retirement home to fruition. She was a member of the South Carolina Debutante Ball, the Exchange Book Club, and the First Friday book club. She became active in family business later in life, serving on the Board of Directors for several trucking companies.

Kaye most loved her family, which brought her so much joy and love. At her vacation home on Pawleys Island, she cherished passing on skills to her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews: boating in the Pawleys Creek, how to catch and hold a crab, clamming, body surfing in the ocean, ducking under waves, building drip sand castles, making seashell mirrors, digging for sand fleas and periwinkles, creating sea aquariums from creatures discovered amongst the groins of Pawleys Island, waterskiing on the Waccamaw River, and playing cards. At Fuller Pond, she shared talents of putting a worm on a hook, taking a fish off of a hook, shooting guns, gator-spotting, and exploring the property with her family. In Columbia, she taught her children and grandchildren to grow tomatoes and flowers, and care for a range of animals including cats, dogs, parakeets, chickens, rabbits, snakes, raccoons, and hamsters. Kaye also arranged backyard camping adventures and slumber parties for her children and their friends, trained the many family dogs, and taught her beloved poodle Cinderella dog agility. She enjoyed many garden club trips to fabulous places with friends and daughter, sharing her vivacious personality and delicious hors d'oeuvres on bus rides. She was a master entertainer and hosted special Christmas gatherings for family and friends with live violin music provided by her son-in-law and grandsons. She and Rob also enjoyed marvelous travels with friends and vacation time at Little Cumberland Island and the Lake Toxaway cabin. Kaye was an elegant, classy, strong, brave, passionate, fun-loving, and kind daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother who always had warm laughter and a genuine smile to share. She is cherished by her family and loved and admired by so many. She was a light in this world who will be dearly missed, with her movie-star smile and her gracious southern hospitality.

Kaye is survived by her husband Robert Masters Clark, her son James Calhoun Clark (Julie) of Taylors, SC, her daughter Kathryn Gable Clark McCullough (Jonathan) of Columbia, SC, 4 grandchildren Katherine Scout Clark (Greenville, SC, Dallia Layne Clark (Richmond, VA), Holden Michael McCullough (Athens, GA), and Calhoun Masters McCullough (Athens, GA), her sister Mary Lemon Townsend (West Columbia, SC), and many dear cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is pre-deceased by her parents, her oldest son, Robert Master Clark, Jr, and her grandson, David Masters Clark.

The family wishes to express deep gratitude and appreciation for the staff of Still Hopes Retirement Community, particularly the loving staff of the Congaree Skilled Nursing Unit, and for the expert Prisma Hospice team who ensured Kaye's peaceful passing, particularly Dr. Karin Jenkins and Nurse Freia.

The service for Mrs. Clark was held at 2 o'clock on Tuesday, April 8th, in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Dr. David H. Lauten officiating. A reception followed the service in Jackson Hall. A private burial in Elmwood Cemetery preceded the service. The family received friends from 5 until 7 o'clock, Monday evening at the home of her daughter,

Memorials may be made to the Palmetto Garden Club of SC, 4004 Linwood Road, Columbia, SC 29205; or to First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, 29201.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.