Joanne Clark

Mrs. Joanne Mason Clark passed away Friday, December 30, 2022 at Morningside of Concord.

Joanne Mason Clark was born March 29, 1930 in Portsmouth, VA to Edward Bagnell Mason and Violet Maude Atkinson Mason. She graduated from Cradock High School in 1947 then in 1951 graduated from Meredith College with a degree in Public School Music. She taught music in the Goldsboro public middle school system for two years where coincidentally Andy Griffith taught choral music in the same high school system. She later taught choral music at George Wythe High in Hampton, VA.

Joanne married Walter McKenzie Clark on June 26, 1954 in Cradock, VA at Cradock Methodist Church and honeymooned at the Cloisters in Sea Island, GA. They moved to Concord, NC shortly thereafter. They lived in pediatrician Dr. Frank Niblock’s office/ house on South Union before moving to North Union Street in 1962. It was there where the family hosted friends over several years for the annual Concord Christmas parade that passed directly in front of the home.

Joanne was a longtime member of Central United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and served as Director of Music from 1970 to 1985. She directed the Chancel Choir, the Children’s Choir, and the Handbell Choir. She was instrumental in Central acquiring its Casavant Organ and Handbells. She thoroughly enjoyed playing piano for the Men’s Bible Class well into her 80s and would frequently play requested hymns by memory.

Joanne was active in the Junior Charity League, the Concord Garden Council, and volunteered at Cabarrus Memorial Hospital (CMC – Northeast) for many years.

Joanne is survived by sons John W. Clark II of Concord, David M. (Anne) Clark, M.D. of Augusta, GA, and E. Graham (Annie) Clark of New York, NY, six grandchildren: Sarah (Matt), Emily, Allen, William, Isabelle, Colin, and one great-grandchild: Adeline. She is preceded in death by her husband, Walter M. Clark.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Sunday (1/8/2022) at Central United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Tom Latimer. The family will receive friends beginning at 1 PM Sunday at the church. A private burial will follow at Franklinville UMC Cemetery.

The service will be livestreamed and that be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/c/CentralUMCConcord

Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 30 Union Street N., Concord, NC 28025.