REMEMBERING Wilkie Clark

ANOTHER YEAR GONE BY...By Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson

March 8, 1920 - July 29, 1989

July 29, 1989 -- 32 Years ago -- marks the date that my beloved father, Wilkie Clark passed from THIS life and OUR presence; but he did not pass from our memory...

He is FOREVER fixed in my mind for being the loving husband of my mother; my biological father-- CONSTANTLY AND CONSISTENTLY PRESENT IN MY LIFE; deliberately shaping me into the woman I have become;

The beloved and loving grandfather of MY biological children, Wilkie Sherard Frieson, and Je'Lynn Mikeke Frieson.

With the utmost respect, we recall his lifetime of dedication to THIS community here in Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama and beyond-- spanning from early adulthood until his final day on this earth.  

With humility we embrace his spirit as a born-again Christian man, serving as a full-time practicing Steward/Trustee and one of the many faces of Bethel United Methodist Church here in Roanoke, Alabama;

With admiration, we remember him for being an exemplary, upright and RESPONSIBLE Citizen of Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama and the World;

With deep reverence we HONOR and RECOGNIZE him as an iconic Civil Rights Leader -- a voice crying in the wilderness -- an outstanding advocate for the people -- ALL PEOPLE; but more particularly BLACK PEOPLE who for generations were the most oppresed among us; the most needy; most dehumanized; degraded; under-served; disenfranchised; and most needy of men and women.       

With humble appreciation, we commemorate his initative as the co-founder, owner and operator of Clark Funeral Home, Inc., our timeless memorial to his professional calling and his work, which has OUTLASTED any achievement he could have ever dreamed or imagined, and now exists as one of the oldest continuously operating black business institutions in our community--having served the WHOLE community above self -- without regard to social or economic status, religious persuation, cultural or philosophical differences or race.

With divine gratitude we emulate his compassion and charity -- contributing when asked, giving when necessary without recompense, and assigning to God Almighty, all glory for the capacity to do so.   

It is with our continuing love and admiration for his exemplary life, that we remember him NOT ONLY through our words, but through our demonstration of respect for the life he lived; acknowledging that many men -- mere time travelers from birth to the grave, never having accomplished a fraction of what he accomplished in this life.  

Thus WE his family -- voluntarily assuming full responsibility for how he is remembered --  claim for him the historical remembrance and distinction that he rightfully and courageously earned during his 69-year sojourn with us. We assert this right through our continuing efforts to archive him, his life and his life's work in the form of the Clark Historic Site, and related artifacts and exhibits that clearly demonstrate the manner of man he was and the innumerable ways and means that he impacted our lives.   

In our hearts, our love, regard and deep respect for him flows throughout eternity.

In Loving Memory
Your Daughter, Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson
and Grandchildren: Wilkie S. Frieson
Je'Lynn M. Frieson

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