Essie Kelly Clark

Essie Kelly Clark, 92 of Nahunta, passed away late Thursday night (November 3, 2016) at Bayview Nursing Home, following an extended illness.

Born on Jan. 27, 1924 to Hattie Drury Kelly and James Breckinridge Kelly, in Atkinson, GA.

She grew up a country girl, but moved to the city to begin her life. She was part of the "Greatest Generation", working at the J. A. Jones Shipyard in Brunswick, GA, welding Liberty ships for the war effort, and playing for the shipyard basketball team, the "Anchorettes." While working there she met, and eventually married, the son of her landlady, Thomas Vincent Clark, to whom she remained married to for 56 years. After the war she was a devoted friend and employee to Mr. Wesley Harold Sigman, working for him for more than thirty years until she retired to her home and family. She was a member of Arco United Methodist of Brunswick, GA.

She was preceded in death by her husband, T. V. Clark; her parents; sisters Aileen Green and Louise Hendrix of Nahunta, GA; Florence Bigham and Nora Infinger of Charleston, SC; Claudine "Anna" Pulliam of Reddick, FL; brothers Wilton Kelly and Ellis Kelly of Atkinson, GA; Marvin Kelly, Waynesville, GA.

She is survived by her children, Patricia Lane Clark of Brunswick, GA and Thomas Wilton Clark of Toney, AL, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Though the youngest of her family, she was the strongest, and was more than just "Aunt Kelly" to her nieces and nephews and their families.

A Funeral Service will be held Monday morning (November 7, 2016) at 11AM at the Chapel of Brunswick Memorial Park Funeral Home with Rev. Joe Carr officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Burial will follow in Brunswick Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Richard Willis,George Wheeler,Ken Holcomb,Clinton Sweat,Curtis Lightsee and E. M. Clark

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to ALS Society of Georgia; webga.alsa.org; 5881 Glenridge Dr. Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30328; 404-636-9909.

Arrangements are with Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing our online registry at fryefh.com.