Josephine "Jo" Clark

Josephine Clark, 94, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 8, 2023.  “Granny Jo” was born Delpha Josephine Walling to Allie Rainwater Walling and James Walling in Jessup, Arkansas on August 8, 1928.  She loved the Lord, her family, and the blooming flowers in her gardens.  A 20+ year resident of Searcy, she previously lived outside of Cabot with her second husband Samuel Clark, who passed away in 1986.  Her first husband Don Segraves of Strawberry, Arkansas preceded her in death in 1959.  Also preceding her in death were her parents, Jim and Allie Walling of Austin and daughter-in-law Lou Segraves.

She leaves behind three sons, Dwight Segraves (Mary) of Little Rock, Randy Segraves (Debbie) of Beebe and Danny Segraves of Austin; and two sisters, Jean Boyer of Searcy and Marion Raney of Cottonwood, Arizona. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Jo’s journey was one of unexpected turns, hard work and undying love of God and family. After graduation from Strawberry High School in 1946 she married Don and followed him all the way to Washington State University where he was working on his doctorate in Agronomy.  While in Pullman, she worked at the Washington Hotel where she waited tables to help feed her three little boys and support Don’s studies. His diagnosis of a rare form of cancer led to her being widowed with three young boys when she was 30.

After Don’s early death, she worked for many years at Anderson’s Restaurant in Beebe where she would always bring home an apron full of tips.  Later she remarried Sam Clark and joined him in his work on their dairy farm, where she did everything from baling hay to milking cows to preparing Sunday dinner for her pastor. She was a wonderful cook and always delighted in having the entire family home for the holidays. 

Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. Monday, February 13, 2023, followed by a celebration of her life at 10:00 a.m., at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, 404 W. Dewitt Henry Dr., in Beebe. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.smithfamilycares.com/westbrook.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Providence Assisted Living in Searcy and to Sonia, Heather, Amy, Cinda and the many wonderful people at Arkansas Hospice who helped us through this difficult time.