BARBARA JEAN TERRY CLARK
Barbara Jean (Terry) Clark passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 28, following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her three children. Barbara was predeceased by her beloved husband of nearly 40 years, Richard R. Clark, Esq.
Barbara was a proud native Washingtonian, born May 27, 1939 at Freedmen’s Hospital. She was the second child of Rebecca and Freddie Terry and was predeceased by her brother Julian and her sister Doris. She loved school and had a thirst for knowledge. Barbara’s keen intellect and sense of equity developed early in her education. In junior high school, Barbara and a few classmates staged a sit-in at the principal’s office to protest that female students were not allowed to take advanced mathematics courses.
Barbara attended Spingarn High School and graduated from DC Teachers College, where she majored in mathematics. During her college years she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc (Beta Iota ‘57). She met the love of her life while in college, recent Howard University graduate Richard Clark. After graduation, Barbara remained true to her community taking her first teaching assignment at Jefferson Middle school in Southwest DC. Barbara worked tirelessly as a mathematics teacher and an administrator in the DC Public Schools for over 30 years. She was a superb teacher, colleague, and administrator, and was an inspiring mentor to countless students and fellow educators.
Family was always the center of Barbara’s life. Richard Sr. and Barbara raised Richard Jr., Angela, and Regina in a loving home filled with warmth, joy, laughter and encouragement. Her delicious crab cakes and succulent apple pie were a household favorite. The importance of education was a centerpiece of the Clark household. Barbara “practiced what she preached”, returning to school for her master’s degree in education at George Washington University while still teaching full-time and raising a family. She always looked forward to FGHT family reunions, and served on both the organizing and scholarship committees.
Barbara Clark knew how to make people feel loved. Her consideration and generosity were limitless, and she shared them abundantly. Barbara’s Sorors, including the infamous Dubious Dozen, always had a special place in her heart. Barbara developed lifelong bonds with so many dear friends in her lifetime – from the Socialites, Just Good Friends, Inc., and Red Hatters to the Kappa Silhouettes, just to name a few. She initiated monthly First Tuesday breakfasts for the Delta Dears of the Washington DC Alumnae chapter and was excited to attend the most recent gathering in April 2024. These community service and social organizations were woven into her rich life. All those who knew Barbara were touched by her strength, leadership and quiet enthusiasm.
Barbara was always interested in the experiences and culture of others and loved exploring the world with family and friends. Her travels took her to Egypt, South Africa, Europe, Australia and across Asia. However, her favorite destinations were the graduations of her grandchildren. They were her focus, and she strove to be close to them. “Nana” would move mountains to attend as many special events as possible for her six grandchildren, traveling tirelessly by train, plane, and automobile to share in their accomplishments.
Barbara was a beautiful soul with a kind heart and an amazing mind. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary - even before smartphones could remind everyone. Barbara reached out to her family daily, sharing her Wordle solution, an interesting anecdote or a sympathetic ear.
Left to cherish Barbara’s memory are her children, Dr. Richard R. Clark, Jr. (Sandra), Dr. Angela Clark Fields (Dennis), and Regina Clark Salathé, Esq. (Gregory); her grandchildren, Richard R. Clark III, Alexandra Clark, Noah Fields, Isabella Salathé, Ronen Salathé, and Hugo Salathé; her nieces, Monica Terry and Deborah Terry Rodriguez; her sister-in-law Marie Terry; her surrogate Augusta, GA sisters, Eleanor Prince and Carolyn Jackson; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
While our hearts ache with the loss of our matriarch, Barbara Clark, we are all blessed with the legacy of the love, light, and laughter that she has left us.
Barbara
Order of Worship
Prelude Daryl Hunt
Processional
Hymn of Praise “Blessed Assurance”
The Scripture Readings
Clergy
Rev. Cora Harvey Armstrong
Old Testament Proverbs 31:10; 25-31 Isabella Salathé
New Testament John 14:1-7 Noah Fields
Solo “Hero (Wind Beneath My Wings)” Sylver Logan Sharp
Prayer of Comfort
Rev. Dr. Cheryl Coleman Hall
Associate Minister, Nineteenth Street Baptist Church
Solo “The Lord’s Prayer” Daryl Hunt
Silent Reading of the Obituary
Solo “Even While You’re Gone”
Reflections
Sylver Logan Sharp
Tamera Wells-Lee, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Renee Jackson, District of Columbia Public Schools
Camille Mosley, Shepherd Park Community
Alexandra Clark, Grandchildren
Richard Clark, Jr., Family
Hymn of Comfort “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”
Eulogy
Benediction
Rev. Cora Harvey Armstrong
Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Haggray
Executive Director, American Baptist Home Mission Societies and Judson Press
Recessional “When We All Get To Heaven”
Repast
Sylver Logan Sharp
Please join the family in the fellowship hall immediately after the service.
Interment
She will be laid to rest with her late husband, Richard R. Clark, at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.
PALLBEARERS
Richard Clark, III
Dennis Fields
Noah Fields
Brian Prince
David Prince
Douglas Prince
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Gregory Salathé
Hugo Salathé
Ronen Salathé
FLOWER BEARERS
Washington DC Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND SPECIAL THANKS
The Family of Mrs. Barbara Jean Terry Clark would like to express our heartfelt thanks for your sympathy and unwavering support during our time of grief. Your prayers, floral arrangements and expressions of kindness have brought us comfort.
We want to extend a special thanks to family, friends and neighbors of Augusta (Georgia), Tokyo (Japan), Tacoma (Washington), and Glastonbury (Connecticut). They opened their hearts and homes to Mom and created a home away from home for her.
God saw the road was getting rough, The hill was hard to climb; He gently closed those loving eyes And whispered “Peace Be Thine.”
The
Family of Barbara Jean Terry Clark
Services Entrusted to McGuire Funeral Home Services, Inc. 7400 Georgia Avenue, NW | Washington, DC 20012