Sylvia Clark

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. - Psalm 91:1

Loretta "Sylvia" Clark, 80, Kingsport, was granted her wish to go to her Heavenly home on Sunday October 12, 2008 after a hard fought battle with cancer.

She retired after more than 30 years of service in the Kingsport City School Cafeterias where she worked primarily at Johnson and Washington Elementary Schools.

God gave her as a special gift to her three girls and gave many others the privilege to have her as a second mom. She walked with the Lord for more than 60 years while maintaining a cheerful disposition and always offered encouragement and words of wisdom to those around her. Through many life trials, her faith in God sustained her and allowed her to stand witness of His great grace.

An active member of State Line Baptist Church for more than 40 years, she was a prayer warrior and interceded for her family, her church and many friends.

She was young at heart and was a loyal fan of the church softball and volleyball teams for many years. She had also become an avid Braves baseball fan spending many hours watching "her boys" and keeping their stats. Her collection of Braves memorabilia was one of her joys!

She was preceded in death by her husband, Afton Paul Clark; a grandson, Stacy Yates; her mother, Laura Crigger Johnson; father, Frank E. Crigger; brother, Frank D. Crigger; and nephew, Tim Crigger, Sr.

Daughter, Judy Clark of Kingsport; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Jim Gardner of Broken Arrow, OK, and daughter, Cindy Clark of Kingsport, survive her. Additional survivors are grandchildren, Lorie Gardner Othouse, Jason Gardner, Greta Yates Wagner, and Jodi Gardner Snedeker, eight great-grandchildren; a brother, James Crigger of Mount Carmel, TN; and Sissy's other children, Patty Crigger Davis and husband, Gene, Wes Davis, Alicia Davis and Teresa Bellamy. She also has several nieces and nephews in IL and FL.

The Going Home Celebration will be held Tuesday with the family receiving friends from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. at State Line Baptist Church. Services will be at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Boyd Holder officiating.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Ross Campground Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jason Gardner, Jim Gardner, Gene Davis, Wes Davis, Charles Tiller, Aaron Tiller, and Eric Wagner. The deacons of State Line Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the State Line Baptist Church Building Fund, 1915 Flanders Street, Kingsport, TN 37662.

The family would like to thank the staff of radiation oncology, Holston Valley Wellmont and Church Hill Health Care for their loving care.

Mom/Mamaw/Sissy - You will be greatly missed! We loved you almost as much as you loved us! See you later!