WILKIE CLARK'S TRAGIC DEATH

PictureDeacon Ernest Heard, Jr. Childhood Friend of Wilkie Clark, One Of The Clark's Best Friends
BY CHARLOTTE A. CLARK-FRIESON

On July 29, 1989, our father and grandfather, Wilkie Clark died, as a result of being overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning, during the burning of his home.   We were all DEVASTATED.  My mother had passed away a mere five months earlier that year — on February 23rd.   TWO agonizing losses within such a short period of time!  My father had been such a vital, vibrant, and deeply woven thread in the fabric of our community, until none of us could believe that he was indeed gone from us. 

Very often considered a "controversial" figure, he had scores of very close friends who came to me during that time, and laid out  all their "suspicions" that he might have been attacked in some way; or that it might have been a case of arson; or that his death might have been the result of a "conspiracy" by the Ku Klux Klan.   They advised me to DEMAND an investigation.   All manner of theories were circulated about how and why he died.   But, after all was said and done, I was able to gain peace with his passing, and accept the fact that it was just his time; and it was God's will.

After a whole lot of speculation, and for that very reason, The County Coroner, Donald E. Benefield, ordered me to transport him to the State Crime Laboratory (as we had over the years had to do for so many of our deceased clients who died mysterious deaths), and after reading his very lengthy and detailed autopsy report, we were able to conclude that there was no foul play involved and that it was just a very unfortunate accident that might have happened due to daddy's poor judgment in deciding to fight a fire, rather than to exit his house and save himself.  I was comforted in the conclusion that there was NO foul play involved.    For me, it was so much like daddy.  He was just a fighter, and that part of him — "the warrior" was in rare form that night, when he discovered that his home was ablaze.         
1989-7-30-The_Anniston_Star_Man_Found_Dead_in_Burning_Home_.jpg
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1989-7-29-Daddy's_Death_Certificate.pdf
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1989-8-1-The_Anniston_Star_Daddy's_Death.pdf
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1989-8-2: Wilkie Clark Dies in Friday House Fire
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1989-8-2 The Roanke Leader (Daddy's Obituary)
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