Mary N. Clark, 90, passed away peacefully at 5:09 a.m., Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Jerseyville Manor.
She was born on March 25, 1935, in Marshall County, Alabama, the daughter of the late Hubert and Nellie Mae (Perrell) Connolly.
At a young age, her family relocated to Arkansas, where she spent her early years and met her first husband, with whom she welcomed her beloved son, Freddie. Mary was just 15 years old when, after long days spent working in the cotton fields, she gave birth to Freddie—her greatest joy and the center of her world.
Determined to create a better life, Mary made the difficult decision to leave Arkansas while Freddie was still young, returning to her roots in Alabama to raise him. Her life would eventually lead her north to the Chicagoland area, where her twin sister, Janelle, owned a restaurant. It was there, working alongside her sister, that Mary met George Clark.
Mary and George married on January 23, 1994, and remained in the Chicagoland area for a short time before making their home in Jerseyville in 1997. Surrounded by many beloved members of George’s family, Jerseyville quickly became home. George's family became her own, and together they shared countless cherished memories.
Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose heart was never far from her family. She had a quiet, creative spirit and found joy in crafting, sewing, and painting. Her talents as a seamstress and amateur artist were only rivaled by her cooking, with her cheesecakes becoming the highlight of every family gathering.
Surviving are her husband, George Clark of Jerseyville; her son and daughter-in-law, Freddie Payne and Karen Johnson of Boaz, Alabama; two grandchildren, Kelly Sunshine Payne and Freddie Keith Payne; and five great-grandchildren, Mckenly, Madison, Jayden, Greyson, and Chloe. She also leaves behind her sister, Glenda, her brother, Don, and many members of George’s family whom she loved dearly, including sisters-in-law Rosemary Munsterman of Jerseyville and Judy Long of Bethalto, along with her nephews, David (Beverly) Munsterman, Jacob (Jodi) Long, and Patrick Long.
Freddie would like to express his heartfelt gratitude to Rosemary for her many years of friendship, kindness, and unwavering care for Mary.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Oliver, Dalane, Jack, Edna, Eva, and her twin sister, Janelle.
Funeral Services will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. Mary will be laid to rest in her hometown in Alabama.
In honor of her love for animals, memorials may be given to Hope Animal Rescues, where Mary and George adopted their two beloved dogs.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com.
