- Visitation
Friday, April 11, 2025
from 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Lebanon, IL
- Service
Friday, April 11, 2025
11:00 am
Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Lebanon, IL
- Full Obituary
Mary Louise Clark, 75, of Lebanon, IL, passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
She was born on May 27, 1949, in Clay County, MS, to John Bluitt (Hoot) and Pearline Spates. On November 13, 1965, she married James Otis Clark in Maben, MS. They moved to Lebanon, IL and raised their family.
Louise was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She touched the lives of many. She was an honor student at Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) and a graduate of Greenville Illinois College, with a Bachelor of Science in Organization Leadership. Louise was a Christian and a member of the Greater Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Lebanon, IL. She served faithfully through the years in various auxiliaries as Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member, President and Choir Director, Trustee, Church Clerk, Youth Director, Outreach, Hospitality, Drama Coordinator, Secretary and Vacation Bible School Director. Under her leadership the Greater Mt. Olive Mission, and the Youth Department began reorganizing with the Young Matrons, the Red Circles, Drill Teams, Praise Team, Tabs, Cavaliers and Sunshine Band. Louise worked in several community and civic organizations, the task focused emphasis on the need to improve and empower the lives of our youth and adults in the community: Home Health Care, Head Start group leader, Boy Scout/Girl Scout Den Leader, Lebanon Resource Center as bookkeeper and treasurer, Lebanon Matthew Ministry, a community care coalition that helps feed the hungry and assist with utility bills.
As God expanded her territory, she served under two New Salem Baptist District Association, Inc. Woman’s Auxiliary Presidents serving as secretary and Vice President. She also served as President for the New Salem Baptist District Association, Inc. Woman’s Auxiliary. Louise also served under five Baptist General State Convention Woman’s Auxiliary Presidents and served as 3rd Vice President. More recently, she was the historian for the Baptist General Convention for Illinois.
Louise also worked as a Legal Notice Reporter for the O’Fallon Progress newspaper for over 10 years.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Pearline Spates; father, John Bluitt (Hoot); stepmother, Oneida Bluitt; sister Bessie Malloy; and son, Warren Clark.
Louise is survived by her loving husband James Otis Clark, Lebanon, IL; son, James Patrick (Belinda) Clark, Belleville, IL; daughter, Yolanda McDuffie, Lebanon, IL; son, Jerel (Stephanie), Clark, Belleville, IL; daughter, Valerie Clark, Lebanon, IL; siblings, Bobby (Doris) Bluitt, Columbus, MS, Betty Bluitt, Clarkdale, MS, Helen Nunn, Wentzville, MO,
Thomas (Jenny) Bluitt, Maben, MS; 16 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and dear friends.
Floral arrangements are being handled by Steven Mueller Florist, 618-632-4027
Visitation: Friday, April 11, 2025, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Lebanon, IL
Service: Friday, April 11, 2025, 11:00 am, at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Lebanon, IL
Clergy: Rev. Dr. W. J. Griffin
Interment: College Hill, Lebanon, IL
Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.
One Condolence