Ms. Meltoria Clark of Greenwood, Florida went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 22, 2024 in Marianna, Florida.
Ms. Clark, affectionately known as Meltoria, was a beacon of light and wisdom to all who knew her. Born in Campbellton, Florida, she spent her life nurturing the minds of others and spreading kindness wherever she went.
The daughter of the late Lee and Girlsey Capehart Henderson, Meltoria was one of thirteen siblings. Her journey began in the small town where she was born, and she carried the spirit of her community with her throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her parents and is now reunited with her eight sisters and four brothers who passed before her.
Meltoria’s light continues to shine through her surviving sister, Louvenia Jennings, and her honorary children, Ivan Richardson, Carl Richardson (Valoris) all of Greenwood, Florida, and Jenarry White (Harlon) of Clarksville, Tennessee, who cherish her memory along with her six godchildren: Delray Richardson of Panama City, Florida, Heather Baker of Clarksville, Tennessee, LeDray Gilbert of Atlanta, Georgia, Derek LaBoo of Baltimore, Maryland, Regina Mack of North Carolina, and Raymond Dudley and Saint Petersburg, Florida. Her influence also lives on in a multitude of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who were blessed to be a part of her extended family.
An alumna of Saint Paul High School in her hometown, Meltoria’s pursuit of knowledge led her to the University of Saint Augustine, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Higher Education. Her passion for teaching and learning propelled her to Miami, Florida, where she began her career as an Instructor in the Pinellas County School System, dedicating fourteen years to the growth and development of her students.
In 1999, Meltoria returned to her roots in Jackson County, continuing her vocation with the Jackson County school system until her well-earned retirement in 2020. Her commitment to education and her students was unwavering, and her analytical mind, combined with her loving nature, made her a beloved figure in the classroom.
Outside of her professional life, Meltoria found joy in the simple pleasures of fishing and gardening. Her hands, skilled at shaping young minds, were equally adept at nurturing the earth and reeling in the bounties of the water. These hobbies provided her with a sense of peace and a connection to the natural world.
Meltoria’s faith was the cornerstone of her existence. She came to know and love her Lord and Savior at an early age and remained a faithful and dedicated member of Springfield African Methodist Episcopal Church of Marianna, Florida. Her intelligence and loving spirit were evident in her devotion to her church community and her unwavering belief in the power of faith.
To describe Meltoria is to speak of a woman whose love knew no bounds, whose intellect was a guiding star, and whose analytical mind solved problems with grace and ease. She was a woman of strength and character, who touched the lives of countless individuals with her warmth and wisdom.
As we bid farewell to Sister Meltoria Clark, we celebrate a life well-lived and a legacy that will continue to inspire. Her journey on earth may have concluded, but the stories of her kindness, her dedication to education, and her unwavering faith will be recounted for generations. Meltoria’s memory will be held in the hearts of those she loved and those who loved her, a testament to a life of service, learning, and love.
A celebration of life will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Springfield AME Church, Marianna, Florida with the Reverend Hollis McClendon, Pastor, officiating assisted by Reverend Arlester McCallister and the Reverend Dwight D. Cockerham, Sr.
Interment will follow in the church cemetery under the directions of Christian Memorial Chapel of Graceville, Florida.
