Cornelius Reeves Clark, Sr. transitioned peacefully from earthly life on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 4:16 p.m. at Baptist Health in Paducah. Cornelius was born April 17, 1948, in West Paducah, the son of the late Pete Clark and the late Francis Eugenia Reeves Clark. At the time of his passing Cornelius had acquired 75 years, 10 months and 18 days of living.
Cornelius was a strong advocate of equal opportunity. In 1966 the Woodland School in West Paducah closed and he, along with his cousin, Bobbi Reeves Wiggins, were the first blacks to integrate the high school in Lone Oak. After graduation he attended Murray State University majoring in Art. Later he combined his love of art with his welding expertise and made several original pieces.
Cornelius was a very disciplined worker who did not shy away from tackling obstacles in his path. He retired from both the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad and Werthan Packaging where he was both a welder and a machine operator. He shared his faith as a devoted and longtime member of Ninth Street Church of Christ.
Cornelius was well-educated, an extremely intelligent person, and an avid bible student who studied the bible from beginning to end. Prior to her death, he spent a great deal of time in person and on the telephone talking about the bible with his mother, Frances Eugenia Reeves Clark.
Cornelius was known for his love of playing pool, practical joking, and his devotion to his family. He had a charismatic personality that naturally drew people to him.
Preceding him in death were his spouse, Christine Clark; a son, Christopher Thompson; his parents, Pete and Francis Eugenia Reeves Clark; three brothers, Smith Shelton, Wilbert Clark, and Charles Clark; and a sister, Nina Bell Hill.
Cherishing precious memories of Cornelius are his three children, Yolanda Jean Clark Ligon, Cornelius (Renee) Reeves Clark, Jr. both of Paducah, KY, and Sheronica Thompson of Metropolis, IL; seven grandchildren, Marquis Thompson, Alexxus Thompson, Isaiah Thompson, Sa’Mya Guerin, David Thompson, Kristiauna Thompson and Corrine Renee Clark; two great-grandchildren, Emani Thompson and Aniyah Thompson; two brothers, James (Helen) Clark of West Paducah, KY and R. L. (Gerone) Clark of DeSoto, TX; special cousins, Larry Reeves, Kenneth Reeves, Sr., Hugh Caldwell, Bobbie Wiggins, Irvin Clark and Wanda Wilson; a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends, and special friend, William Pierre Edmontson.
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, March 16, 2024, 12 noon at Ninth Street Church of Christ with Brother Mark Rowe officiating.
Family will receive friends Saturday at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club of Paducah at ocbg.club and the Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org.
You may light a candle or leave online condolences at pettusrowlandfh.com.
