Dr. Robert Benjamin Clark Jr.

Robert Benjamin Clark, Jr., affectionately known as “Man” to his family, was born on June 8, 1939, in Fort Valley, Georgia. He was the second of six children born to the late Robert Benjamin Clark, Sr. and Willie Mae Clark (née Kendrick). Bob attended Ballard Hudson High School before joining the United States Army at the age of 16. In 1958, while stationed at Fort McPherson, Bob met Alean Harris in Macon, GA. After their first encounter, he asked for her address and promised to write to her. That was the first of many promises he would keep to her during their lives. On April 25, 1959, Robert and Alean were married in Macon, GA. Shortly after, they moved to Fayetteville, NC where they would build a life and raise their children, Ben, Carolyn, and Richard. Bob served in duty stations around the world, including Germany, Vietnam, and Korea. He was an outstanding soldier, who quickly rose through the ranks and won the respect and admiration of his peers and superiors. Bob attended flight school and finished first in his class. As a helicopter pilot, he flew combat missions over Vietnam. While in the army, he boxed, played football, and excelled in martial arts. In 1975, he retired at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2. Bob earned, achieved, and was honored with a Bachelor’s Degree for a double major in Philosophy and Religion, a Master of Divinity, and a Doctorate of Divinity. Bob received Christ at an early age and accepted the call to gospel ministry. His pastoral assignments were St. Peter’s and Zion Hill AME Zion Churches in Maxton, NC, Union Oak AME Zion in Hope Mills, NC, and St. Matthew’s AME Zion Church in Maxton, NC. After several years, the Lord led him to plant a church. In 1981, Bob began having weekly services in his home. That same year, after much prayer and hard work, St. Jude Missionary Baptist Church was founded and built in Hope Mills, NC. The church grew to 250 active members under his leadership; many souls were saved, lives were touched, and families were changed. Bob retired from full-time ministry in 2012, but never stopped loving, supporting, and praying for the church and its people. Bob was a loving husband and father, who never knew a stranger, and would help anyone in need. He helped put many young people through college, connected many people to good jobs, and was always there for families in financial hardship. His generosity was boundless. On August 4, 2023, he transitioned from this life to the next, having completed every assignment the Lord gave him with passion, faithfulness, kindness, and love. He left no work undone. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Robert B. and Willie Mae Clark, his sister, Annie Willie Clark, and his brothers Albert Clark and Henry Clark. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 64 years, Alean; two sons, Ben (Dion) of Fayetteville, NC, and Richard of Clinton, MD; two daughters, Carolyn of Roanoke, VA, and Kathy Renee West of Fort Lauderdale, FL; two sisters, Betty York of Brooklyn, NY, and Mary Franklin (Lawrence) of Upper Marlboro, MD; a special sister, Laverne Thomas of Macon, GA; two sisters-in-law, Charlie Mae Clark of Byron, GA and Linda McBeth (Kenneth) of Montgomery, AL; two brothers-in-law, Lorenzo Harris (Sylvia) of Lithonia, GA, and John Harris of Dublin, GA; six grandchildren, Crystal Clark of Burbank, CA, Michael Tilley (Donna) of Leesburg, VA, Demetris West, Sennica West, Sekeithia West, and Gerome West, all of Fort Lauderdale, FL; eleven nieces Theresa Rose, Linda Black, Rukiya Franklin, Albertina (Allen) Banks, Iris Rawls and Terrassa Fields, Brenda (Charles) Torrence, Kenley McBeth-West, Gwendolyn Respress, Mardre (Michael) Rogers, Kaylene (Lorenzo) Howell; twelve nephews Lawrence (India) Franklin Jr., Tracey (Devonna) Franklin, Albert (Wanda) Clark, Jr., Rico (Cathy) Clark, Dawann Davis, Michael Lorenzo Harris, Ramond (Jodie) McBeth, Armond McBeth, Neal (Christine) Ivey, Gary Ivey, Raymond Harris, Michael Harris, and his special friends, the Nicholas Family, Linda, Cody (Temeka), Brandon, Makenzie, Madison and Saryn, and a host of great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Dr. Robert Benjamin Clark Jr.

June 8, 1939 - August 4, 2023