Helena Clark Obituary

Helena Brown Clark SANTEE, SC - On the night of May 23, 2011, in her much loved home in Santee, South Carolina at approximately 10:00 p.m., Helena Brown Clark passed away from this life. Helena was born in 1920 in the town of Barnwell, South Carolina. Along with her loving parents, Charlie and Lila Brown, and her devoted sister Ione Chancey, Helena spent a very happy childhood in this small South Carolina town. She grew up with many friends whom she kept for her entire life. It was also in Barnwell that she met her future husband, William Edward "Bubba" Clark, from Cope, South Carolina. They were married in 1942, just prior to Bubba being sent overseas to the war. They had the first of their two sons, William Edward "Bill" Clark, who along with Helena, continued to live in Barnwell until the close of the war. After Bubba returned from overseas, the couple moved to Santee where they had their second son, Charles Winfield "Cholly" Clark. They founded Clark's Restaurant in 1946 as well as several other tourist related businesses. Clark's Restaurant is still operated with the help of third generation Clark's. The restaurant has become a landmark for travelers and locals alike, and is popular up and down I-95 from New York to Miami. Helena had a very happy, full and colorful life. She helped her husband Bubba every step of the way. She used her flair and excellent taste to help found and maintain Clark's Restaurant, and many other endeavors. She was passionate about life and she was fun. Helena always marched to the beat of her own drum and people loved her for it. Her greatest pleasure was her family - especially her two boys, whom she was convinced were the two finest children to ever walk the face of the earth. Unfortunately, Helena's husband Bubba died at a relatively young age in 1985. Although she missed him terribly, Helena nevertheless still managed to find joy in life. Her boys, Bill and Cholly, and their wives Tricia and Delaine, will forever be grateful to her loving care-givers Barbara Watson, Carolyn Haywood, Nina Page and Martha Stukes. They are truly angels. In addition to her lone sister, Chancey, her boys, Bill and Cholly and their wives, Tricia and Delaine, she leaves grand children; Edward, Ginna, Winfield, Lauren and Mary Helena Clark, as well as Lindsey Clark Moberg, her husband Dana and a beautiful great grandson, Dana IV. On Friday, May 27, 2011, at 11:00 a.m., a celebration of her life will be held at the Santee Presbyterian Church. She will be laid to rest beside her husband, Bubba, at the Jerusalem United Methodist Church Cemetery. Friends who would like to call may visit the family at Helena's home in the Santee Cooper Resort on Thursday evening between the hours of 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Helena and her family would prefer that memorials be made to the Santee Presbyterian Church, PO Box 649, Santee, SC 29142, or the charity of one's choice. Avinger Funeral Home of Holly Hill is assisting the family. www.avingerfh.com. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/ deaths