Obituary of Peggy Jane Clark

Peggy Jane Clark, beloved mother and grandmother passed away on May 11, 2022 after a long battle with dementia.  Mom started out life in the tiny little town of Marshall, Illinois on September 15, 1941.  Marshall being too small for a hospital, mom was actually born in Terre Haute, Indiana, across the Wabash River from Marshall. 

She was born to Wilber Ellis Clark and Margaret Jane Cork Clark.  She had one sister, Nikki Lynn Clark Barnhart. The family moved several times as they grew up, from Sea Isle City, NJ to Ocean City, NJ and finally to Hanover, PA where she graduated from Eichelberger High School.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree from American University in Washington, D.C., her Masters from the University of South Carolina and was a dissertation away from her PhD when she felt she had accomplished enough and completed her education.  She was married for several years during which time she had her two daughters, Kathy and Karen.  The marriage ended in divorce and our father disappeared from our lives leaving mom to raise us alone.  Shortly after that she began a lifelong career on the Papers of Henry Laurens, working first in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. and then upon the death of the chief editor she transferred to the University of South Carolina in 1972 to continue with the project.  She retired in 2002 upon completion of the 16th and final volume in the series.  After retirement she worked on the digital edition of the Papers of Eliza R. Pinckney.  During our youth she was very active in community theatre, volunteering countless hours at Workshop Theatre under such amazing directors as Bette Herring, Jim Blanton and others.  Mom loved to travel and visited London several times, as well as Ireland, France, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Australia, Fiji and New Zealand.  She was devoted to her 6 grandchildren, she loved them beyond all measure. 

Mom is predeceased by her parents and her sister.  She is survived by daughters Kathy (Lee) Craig and Karen (David) Phelps and her amazing grandchildren Andy Craig, Daniel Craig (Kaitlyn), Scott (Hannah) Craig, Amy Craig, Matthew Craig and Joel Craig and one great granddaughter, Marie Charlotte Craig.  Her next great-grandchild is due in October, 2022.  Also mourning her passing are nieces, Tracey Barnhart McNally, Kelly Barnhart Fry, Darby Barnhart Buckley, Holly Barnhart Smith and their families and brother-in-law, James Barnhart. 

At her wishes, mom will be cremated and buried next to her favorite aunt, Thelma Isobel "Doty" McCourt, in the family plot in Marshall Cemetery, Marshall, Illinois. 

South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Family and friends may sign the online guest book by clicking on the "tribute wall" tab above.