MR. RICHARD WYDELL CLARK

Funeral services for Mr. Richard Wydell Clark will be held at 2 PM Saturday, March 28, 2026, at John E. Stephens Chapel with Rev. Don Savell, Rev. Brian Weir and Rev. Eric Sharp officiating. Interment will be in Arlington Baptist Cemetery. Visitation will be held 12 PM – 2 PM Saturday, March 28, 2026, at John E. Stephens Chapel. Richard Wydell Clark, 86, passed away on March 26, 2026. He was born on February 16, 1940, and was born and raised in the Arlington Community outside of Philadelphia, Mississippi, where he lived his entire life. He was a proud member of the first graduating class of Neshoba County High School in 1959. Richard spent 31 years as the Machine Shop Technology Instructor at East Central Community College, and he was very proud of the many students he taught through the years who went on to work in industry. He also spent many hours over the years in his machine shop at home doing independent and contract work. All his children have stories of working in the shop with him, yes, even the girl. He was known to his colleagues as Richard, to his friends as Wydell, to his children as Daddy, and to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as Papaw. He loved all things antique farm equipment, especially tractors, and he also loved gardening—big gardens filled with corn, peas, tomatoes, and more. He enjoyed raising cattle, and he loved playing guitar and singing. His favorite pastime was camping and fishing, and some of our fondest memories of him were made on the water, fishing together. Richard was a faithful member and deacon at Arlington Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Lynette Clark; his son, Richard Kent Clark (Melissa), and their children Jonathan Clark (Stacy), Amanda Sharp (Eric), Hannah Warren (Dillan), and Noah Clark; his son, Robert Glynn Clark (Jennifer); and his daughter, Debbie Grear (Jeremy), and their children Emily and Ethan. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren Madison Eickhoff (Wyatt Pilgrim), Anna Leigh Clark, Elijah Sharp, Zade Clark, Evan Sharp, Darren Warren, Asher Warren, Luke Clark, Micah Warren, and Ella Sharp. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Maudie Clark, and by his daughter, Stacie Lea Clark. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, daddy, and papaw who loved his family deeply. We will remember his time in the shop, his love for tractors and gardening, his music, and the many treasured memories made fishing together. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Pallbearers are Eli Sharp, Evan Sharp, Jonathan Clark, Zade Clark, Dillan Warren, Jody Addy, Nathan Kirkland. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to CenterWell Home Health and Quality Hospice Care for the support, compassion, and care they provided. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Gideons International, or to a charity of your choice.

MR. RICHARD WYDELL CLARK

February 16, 1940 - March 26, 2026