Janet Clark, 84, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, died on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 surrounded by her family. Janet Clark was born on December 9, 1937 in Glasgow, Scotland, daughter of the late Stewart and Jenny Pollock. At the age of nine years old, Janet and her parents came over on the Queen Mary from Scotland to Windsor, Canada. A year later, they moved to Detroit, Michigan. This is where Janet met the love of her life. They met each other as teenagers at the church choir where Bob offered to drive her home. Bob was the first person that she ever dated and the rest was history! They got married in June 1956 and the proudest thing they had accomplished was their marriage and their family! The love of Janet’s life, Robert “Bob” Clark, passed away June 4, 1986. Even though he was gone, the memories and love that they shared was never forgotten. Janet would always tell stories about their life together and she always would say just remember there is never enough time in life. Janet was blessed with two children: Stewart Clark and wife, Becky of Humble, Texas and Colleen Bernard and husband, Tom of Ina, Illinois. Janet is also survived by her three grandchildren, who were the light of her life: Jennifer Vineyard and husband, Shaun of McLeansboro Illinois, Lacey Clark and fiancé, Jared “J” Miller of Zackery, Louisiana, and Breann Stoodley and husband, Ryan of Marion Illinois. Additionally, Janet had great-grandchildren, who she moved Heaven and Earth for: Madison Vineyard and significant other Tristan Buchanan and his son, Cash Buchanan, Madison Stoodley, Lane Vineyard, Kennedy Stoodley, Greyson Decker, and Reagan Stoodley. Many people knew Janet Clark as the “Sears Lady” or “Insurance Lady.” As the years went by, Janet was known as “Grandma Janet.” Her love for others was so profound! Family isn’t always defined by blood, but by the bond that was built between people. She loved everyone and treated them just like family! Janet’s love for others had no limitations. While owning and operating the Sears in Centralia, Janet met James “Randy” Barksdale in 1999. Randy became a big part of Janet and her family’s life. They were the cutest older couple that you ever did see. Randy would hold Janet’s arm with one hand and her purse in the other because we all know that she would sit it down anywhere. Randy took Janet anywhere that she wanted to go! Their usual places included the nursing homes, church, to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s extracurricular activities, and of course, all the family activities. The love that they had for one another was the kind of love that everyone hopes to find in a best friend. Randy passed away February 7, 2019.After Janet retired she volunteered at Angels on Assignment in Mount Vernon for many years. This was her dream job! It fulfilled her desire to help others and meet so many wonderful people. She went to Angels on Assignment three times a week. If she ever missed a day of volunteering, she would always say, “Sally is going to fire me.” Angels on Assignment helps many people and that is what Janet’s mother, Jenny, taught her to do at a very young age. By volunteering, Janet felt like she was fulfilling a promise to her mother to always be kind and help everyone she could. In addition to her parents, husband, and significant other, Janet was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Dudley Ray Pierce. Janet was a Christian woman, who is now celebrating her new life in heaven. She would want you all to know that “God is Good” and “God Never Will Fail You.” She also would want you to remember to love one another like God loves you and to have a giving heart.
A Visitation will be held Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm at Newell Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. The Funeral Service will begin at 1:30 pm with Reverend Stacy Tate officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois. Memorial donations may be made to the Angels on Assignment in Mount Vernon, Illinois and will be accepted at Hughey Funeral Home. Donations can also be mailed to: Angels on Assignment 1201 Broadway Street, Mount Vernon, Illinois 62864.Call Newell Funeral Home at 618-246-0100 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.
