Vernett Clark

CLARK ~ Vernett Deere was born December 24, 1918 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to Harriet and Rufus Deere. Reared in Pelahatchie, Mississippi by her grandparents William and Ida Fletcher, Vernett confessed Christ at an early age. On May 5, 1940 she married Emmett Clark. They were blessed with one daughter, Joan Vernett Clark.  

In 1950, Emmett and Vernett moved to Gulfport, Mississippi, where Vernett united with Mount Bethel Baptist Church. She served faithfully under the late Rev. T.B. Brown and Rev. W.T. Guice, respectively. Vernett was active in many areas of the church: activities announcer, culinary coordinator, Sunday school, Training Union, Senior Mission, Senior Choir, Junior Choir matron, and presented many youth plays. 

She retired from the Gulfport, Mississippi school system (cafeteria) in May 1989. Her daughter, Joan moved the family to Jacksonville, Florida in November 1993. Vernett then united with Bethel Baptist Institutional Church.  

She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years at his death; her parents; grandparents; sister, Luverta “Dimples” Martin; brother, Herbert T. Wilson; nephew, Herbert T. Wilson Jr.; and godson, Willie Gibson. 

Vernett leaves to honor her memory, her daughter, Joan; granddaughter, Leah Vernett Hobson (Louis); great granddaughters, Isabelle Cicely and Grace Vernett Hobson, Chicago, IL; niece, Constance Wilson Blaylock (Anthony), Dallas, TX; two grandnieces, Maqueitha Davis and Dena Clark of Jacksonville, FL; cousin, Carolyn Smith, Los Angeles, CA; many nieces and nephews by marriage; goddaughters, Clara Cross (Elder Costell), Rev. Deborah Travis (Rev. Eric), Woodbine, GA, Adrienne Williams and Josephine Ellis;  special friendships were developed in Gulfport and Jacksonville, for which she felt blessed.

 The family is grateful for the care and friendship that was extended to her by the residents and staff of Palm Garden of Jacksonville during her final three years.

Memorial donations may be made to the church’s Walk-a-thon which benefits church youth attending college. 

Memorial Service for Vernett Deere Clark will be 11:00 AM Thursday, August 16, 2018 at Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, 215 Bethel Baptist Street, Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr., Senior Pastor; Bishop W. McKissick, Sr., Pastor Emeritus.  Because of the love of her family, arrangements entrusted to J. E. Fralin & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services, 5065 Soutel Drive, 904.924.9400

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