Dorothy Louise Padgett Clark

Dorothy Louise Padgett Clark affectionately known as “Gran” was born February 7, 1922, in Gordon County, Georgia and her presence was known for almost a century until she passed on March 18, 2021, joining the love of her life, K.T. (Papa) and her first-born grandson, Monte. Growing up in Fairmount with her four brothers and three sisters, Gran quickly became a prominent figure in the house helping her mother, Lou Emma, in the kitchen canning, cooking, and baking (just ask anyone from Sonoraville Baptist Church about her delicious pound cake), but secretly, she always enjoyed spending time outdoors with her father, William Alfred, feeding the chickens and milking the cows. Gran had many proud moments in her lifetime, and one of those definitely influenced her for the remainder of her life: being baptized in the creek and becoming a Christian at twelve years old. Another was graduating from Fairmount High School in 1939 twelve members strong and the longest living member of that class. Consequently, during those flowering years, she did not realize that one particular gentleman had his eye on her. He waited until she was old enough to date and a beautiful courtship began. Papa and Gran married on December 23, 1939, “setting up house” in Pickens County. She attended and graduated from Massey Business School eventually retiring from North Georgia Community Action Agency in 1985. In 1988, Gran moved to Calhoun to be closer to her two sons, Paul (Barbara) and Roger (Ann), and their families. Since then, she has lived a full life dedicating her time to her Lord and her family and friends. Every year, birthdays, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and any other days in between, gave Gran a reason to cook for the Clark Clan. All those meals shared in the Florida room in her home left us overstuffed and lazy, but more importantly gave all us the opportunity to see each other and hang out. Gran simply enjoyed sitting in the chair and listening to everyone’s conversations. If you ever asked her about her family, you had better pull up a chair and stay awhile! Her family was so precious to her as she was to us. For the past thirty-two years Gran has lived without K.T. but that didn’t deter her independence. Her decades long membership at Sonoraville Baptist Church and actively participating with her Sunday School class kept her busy. She was available if someone needed her, but she never wanted to be a burden to anyone. Even though Gran turned 99 a little over a month ago, she was still paying her own bills, balancing her own checkbook, and complaining that her CDs were not drawing a lot of interests. She was a one-of-a-kind LADY in every sense of the word. Besides her two sons and daughters-in-law, Gran is survived by sisters-in-law, Mildred Clark Hart and Jean Clark Jones; grandchildren, Dia (Chris) Johnson, Amber (Tim) Kinsey, Ryan Clark, Adrienne (Joe) Chadwick, Brittany (Dylan) Owens; great-grandchildren, Monte Paul, Peyton, and Caroline Clark; Clark, Russell, and Alea Johnson; Reagan, Max and Emmie Kinsey; Cohen and Hudson Chadwick; Lex Owens; great-great-granddaughter, Jurnee Clark; nieces and nephews; a very special friend, Lorene Padgett. Our family has been so lucky to have such a sweet presence in our lives for so long, but it is time to say good-bye. Join us in celebrating Gran’s life at Sonoraville Baptist Church on Sunday, March 21st at 3:00. Visitation will be from 1:30-3:00 and intermittent will follow at Fain Cemetery. Reverends Lewis Shirley and Jamie Hunt will officiate the church ceremony and Hudson Chadwick will recite the 23rd Psalm. Dr. Jether Cochran will be in charge of the graveside committal ceremony. We would like to thank Eddie Phipps, Danny Gilbert, Bill Price, Bobby Reeves, KD Wright, and Louie McEntrye for serving as pall bearers. Also, honorary escort is Lorene Padgett, Wanda Cole, Charlie and Hilda Chadwick, Bill and Ann Ayers, David and Sue Erwin, Margie McElroy, Ricky Willix, Wanda Cole, and Peggy Acree, Ted and Judy Smith, Jean Holden, Betty Brock, Shirley Rickett, and Carolyn Cochran. Thomas Funeral Home has proudly been entrusted with the care of Dorothy Clark.