Bill Text: MS SR6 | 2020 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Paying tribute to the memory of respected Morton Physician and Community Leader Dr. Howard D. Clark, M.D.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-3)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-02-18 - Adopted [SR6 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2020-SR6-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) McCaughn, Kirby
Senate Resolution 6
(As Adopted by Senate)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF RESPECTED MORTON PHYSICIAN AND COMMUNITY STALWART DR. HOWARD D. CLARK, M.D., AND EXTENDING THE SYMPATHY OF THE SENATE TO HIS BEREAVED FAMILY.
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of well-known Morton, Mississippi, Physician and Community Leader Dr. Howard D. Clark, age 93, on February 10, 2020; and
WHEREAS, walk into Mississippi Care Center of Morton, Mississippi, a nursing home facility, any day of the week, and you would find Dr. Howard Clark jovially visiting with the residents. They referred to him as their doctor, and even though he just retired at 90-years-old, they are not incorrect. For many of the patients he was talking with, he was their doctor (and sometimes the only doctor in Morton) for most of their lives; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Clark earned his medical certificate at the University of Mississippi and then his M.D. at Tulane University before doing a one-year rotating internship in 1955 at the newly opened University of Mississippi Medical Center. He had been an instrumental figure in the health care of the Morton community since he opened Clark Clinic in 1956; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Clark also helped establish Scott Regional Hospital and started Mississippi Care Center, both in Morton. He delivered more than 4,500 babies in the area, made countless house calls, and served as team doctor for the local high school sports teams, among many other things, and never insisted on payment, although he would occasionally be paid in chickens and even moonshine. He was the unofficial face of health care in the area, but he humbly referred to it as answering God's call for his life; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Howard D. Clark was born to Leonard McKinley and Dicie Culpepper Clark on January 22, 1927, in Perry County, Mississippi. Dr. Clark grew up in Perry County and graduated from Richton High School in 1944. Feeling a duty to serve his country, he enlisted in the Army Reserves. After being honorably discharged, Clark attended Mississippi State University to earn his undergraduate degree; and
WHEREAS, in 1956, Dr. Clark opened Clark Clinic in Morton, Mississippi, where he practiced medicine for the next 62 years. During that time, he also helped secure funding for, build and open Scott Regional Hospital and Mississippi Care Center of Morton. He delivered more than 4,500 babies, made countless house calls, and served as Team Doctor for all Morton High School athletic teams; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Clark was also an avid supporter of Mississippi State University academics and athletics, serving for several years on the Board of Directors of the Bulldog Club. Through his association with MSU, Dr. Clark befriended countless students, athletes, coaches, administrators, medical professionals and even several University Presidents; and
WHEREAS, in 2001, at the age of 73, and while he was still actively providing care for patients at the hospital, his clinic, the nursing home and also making house calls, Dr. Clark was named Country Doctor of the Year by Staff Care, a national temporary physician staffing firm; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, Dr. Clark was bestowed the Caring Award by The Caring Institute, an international nonprofit organization inspired by Mother Teresa and dedicated to the principles of caring, integrity, and public service. In 2007, Dr. Clark was recognized by his peers with the John B. Howell Memorial Award which is bestowed annually by the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians to the physician contributing the most to the development of Family Medicine in Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Clark was a 32nd Degree Mason and, at the age of 90, was the oldest living Sunday School Teacher at First Baptist Church of Morton, where he became the teacher of the Adult V Co-Ed Sunday School Class following the death of Ralph Simmons; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Clark is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Dicie Culpepper Clark; wife, Mildred Gardner Clark; daughter, Eunice Clark Fairchild Williams; son, Christopher Allen Howard Clark; and granddaughter, Cassandra Ann Fairchild. He is survived by his sister, Virginia Clark Thornton; brothers, McKinley Ray Clark (Jane) and Charles Everett Clark (Ann); his wife of 51 years, Jackie Newsom Clark; daughters, Neva Clark Jefcoat (Jere), Janie Clark Westberry, Patricia Clark Westberry and Bettie Ann Clark Anderson; son, Howard David Clark, II; 14 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and 9 great-great grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, clearly admired by many, Dr. Clark summed up a lifetime of humble service. "My practice of medicine is a God-given time of my life that I have enjoyed. It has been a pleasure to continue serving my God. That is not work. I could not retire. His message never changed"; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi with enormous health care and civic energy. Dr. Clark was a wonderful example to others of how to live your convictions with courage, and he will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known his special wisdom and dedication:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and pay tribute to the memory of respected Morton Physician and Community Stalwart Dr. Howard D. Clark, M.D., and extend the sympathy of the Senate to his bereaved family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Dr. Howard Clark and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
