John Marshall Clark, May 8, 1931 – April 30, 2006.  Corrine Marie Clark, May 15, 1938 – July 20, 2008.  Bethel Cemetery, Ballard County, Kentucky.

Although I spent several hours searching for information on Corrine Marie Clark, I found nothing.  What I thought was so interesting is the crocheted afghan that covers the gravesite of the couple.  John Marshall Clark died two years before his wife.  According to The Paducah Sun, Sunday, May 1, 2006, ‘John Marshall Clark, 74, of Kevil, died at 6:15 a.m. Sunday at his home.  A native of McCracken County, Mr. Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and of the Methodist faith.  His wife, Corine Clark, survives.  He was preceded in death by a brother.  His parents were Jodie Clark and Fannie Mae Moor.  There will be no services or visitation.  Private burial will be in Bethel Cemetery in Ballard County.  Roth Funeral Chapel in Paducah is in charge of arrangements.’

There are no children listed, John’s brother and parents preceded him to the grave.  It must have been very lonely to have no one but your wife at your burial.  Corine (spelled with one or two r’s) was left for two years by herself.  Did she have no sisters or cousins?  Did anyone come to her burial?  Today we will remember her.  We don’t know much – but we do know she loved to crochet.  If you enlarge the photo you can see the colors in the afghan are red, white and blue – a tribute to her husband’s military career.  Ritchey and I visited this cemetery in March.  In five years the colors have faded and grass clippings, leaves and dirt have gathered on the treasured afghan.  I wanted to clean it, but had nothing with us to use.  When we return to Ballard County we will clear the box to enable the afghan to shine forth again.  And let us speak John Marshall and Corrine Marie Clark’s name again – they are remembered.