Sherman Levion Clark Sr

Sherman Levion Clark, Sr

Christ Follower, Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend.

2 Timothy 4:7 - “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Sherman L. Clark, Sr of Rome GA, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday November 17, 2022.  It was nearly 1 year from the passing of his beloved son, Sherman L. “Scotty” Clark, Jr on November 20, 2021. 

We rejoice that our faith guides us that he and his son Scotty are now in Heaven with all new bodies, and they are dancing a jig and laughing loudly together again as they cheer on the Georgia Bulldogs to another National Championship Victory. 

While we are deeply saddened by the departure of this great man of our family, we are excited to know this is only the beginning for our beloved Sherman by our faith in Christ Jesus.  Sherman’s faith in God stood as a deeply held conviction and served as his primary life devotion, only slightly above his devotion to his wife and children.

Sherman was born on January 16, 1936, and grew up in Shannon, GA as the son of Harley and Emma Mae Clark.  He was the eldest of six siblings, Howard Clark (deceased), Barbara Clark Green (deceased), Carolyn Clark Venable, Ronnie Clark and David Clark – all of the Rome area. 

Sherman attended Model High School and graduated in 1954.  While at Model High, Sherman played football for the Blue Devils where they won the State Championship in Football during his time on the team.

After high school, Sherman joined the United State Navy as an aircraft electrician and proudly served four years where he was assigned to the USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31), which was an Essex-class aircraft carrier that saw action at the end of World War II, throughout the Korean War, and through the Vietnam War.

After his time in the US Navy, Sherman came back to Rome, GA and married Betty Jean Bridges, also of Rome, GA on June 6, 1959.  Together they had two children, Sherman L. Clark, Jr (deceased) and Susan Elizabeth Clark. 

Sherman worked for several years as an electrician for Celanese Corporation in Rome, GA before moving to Inland Container where we worked his way from Electrician to E&I Maintenance Foreman.  He retired from International Paper (Georgia Kraft) in 1998 and lived in Rome for his entire adult life. 

He and his family joined Fellowship Baptist Church in 1966 where he served in various positions of leadership to include Sunday School teacher, Chairman of the Deacons and Chairman of the Pastor Search Committee.  He also served as Chairman of the Personnel Committee, Nominating Committee and Trustees.  Sherman joined several mission trips on behalf of the church to places such as New York and Jamaica. 

It was at Fellowship where his children were baptized into the Christian Faith and where he saw his daughter Susan meet and marry Mark K. Swanson in 1990.  He also witnessed the dedication and baptism of his only grandson, Jarrett I. Swanson of whom he deeply loved and enjoyed a close bond.

His grandson, Jarrett, went on to play a short stint in Peewee Football where he wore his grandfather’s old football jersey number 39.  While in college at Jacksonville State University, Jarrett also continues to wear his grandfather’s number 39 while playing on the University’s Men’s Ultimate Team the Firebirds.

Sherman is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Clark and their daughter Susan, son-in-law Mark Swanson and his grandson Jarrett, all of Rome, GA.  He is also survived by his sister Carolyn Venable (son Tony McFarland, deceased, and daughters Tonya Joseph and Dana Perez); his brother Ronnie Clark and his wife Dana and their daughter Tammy Patterson; his brother David Clark and his wife Judy and their daughters Amber Ware and Cameron Allmon. 

Sherman was preceded in death by his parents Harley and Emma Mae Clark and siblings Howard Clark (survived by his wife Joyce and daughters Kellie Curry and Kacie Freeman) and Barbara Green (survived by son Shane Hampton). 

The family has chosen a Graveside Service only and it will be held at Oaknoll Memorial Gardens Cemetery at 2:00pm on Monday, November 21, 2022, with the Reverend Greg Cater presiding.  

In lieu of Flowers, please make memorial contributions to Fellowship Baptist Church at 314 Burnett Ferry Rd, Rome, GA 30165

Pallbearers include Jim Ware, Brandon Allmon, Mike Curry, Kyle Freeman, Michael Patterson and Justin Perez.

Parnick Jennings, Sr. – Good Shepherd Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.

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