Carol Ann Clark

Carol Ann Clark, eldest daughter of Walter A. "Tige" Stephenson and Lenora B. Lewis of Chillicothe, Texas, was born in Calexico, California on 20 July 1935. Her family relocated several times before settling in North Long Beach at the end of WWII. She graduated from both LB Jordan HS and LB City College before marrying Richard L. Clark on 27 January 1956. To that union was born two sons, Richard L., Jr. in 1957, and Robert D. in 1959.

Carol resumed her education, graduating from Cal State Long Beach in 1970, with a major in music. She began teaching the next year, becoming a fixture in the Bellflower Unified School District, which she retired from in 2008. Along the way, she managed not only to raise her family, but travel the USA extensively, first with her husband of nearly 46 years, until his death in December 2001, and then with her sister Janet.

Despite her full schedule, she was a very charitable person. Her involvement with Emblem Club dated back to 1964; most years she was her local club's Organist.
After her retirement, she served three years as Club President, and had also served as State Assistant Organist, State Organist, Supreme Assistant Organist, and Supreme Organist. She loved the comradery of Emblem - it kept her young in spirit.

Her passing was sudden, but she was active up until her final days. She is survived by her son, Richard, grandson Brandon, sister Janet Ignasiak, sister-in laws
Marilyn Hollifield and Janet Clark, and brother in law Bill Hollifield. She is also survived by her aunt, Oleta McCubbin and more cousins than can be mentioned in a short text. Finally, she leaves a grand legacy in her multitude of friends, whose hearts were touched by her music.

Through the good times, and those not so good, she could be relied upon to help those in need, teach those who wanted to learn, and gladden all of our hearts with the sounds from her keyboards accompanied by her beautiful singing voice. She will be sorely missed.