Marilyn Clark

Marilyn Lester Runnion Clark, affectionately known as Mema; went to be with the Lord October 24, 2012. She was born in Florence, South Carolina on March 25th, 1935 into a loving family, mother Claseida “Jolly” DuBose Runnion and father Charles Lester Runnion. She was blessed to have an incredible big sister Carolyn DuBose Runnion whom she loved dearly.

We take comfort from God as he says in I Corinthians 5:6 “Absent from the body, present with the Lord”. She was a beautiful, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, daughter, and trusted friend. All of her grandchildren’s friends called her Mema. She loved without reservation and did not hold grudges against anyone; praying for all.

Marilyn was married to Fred Davis Clark, Sr. for 60 beautiful years. Fred (Papa) says that God picked Marilyn out for him before the foundation of the world. Mema had an amazing heart of love, telling her grandchildren when asked who she loved the most that with God’s love, the heart grows bigger and bigger, and her love was the same for every grandchild. She taught us that you don’t have to take love from one to give to another, there is always more, it grows. Fred says that his love for Marilyn is second only to love for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Marilyn was a Prayer Warrior, Mentor of Women, and Bible Teacher for the women at the Orange County jail for many years. She delighted in sharing her faith in her Lord Jesus Christ. Fred says that Marilyn will not come back to him, but he will see her again in Heaven. (II Samuel 12:23)
“Fred thanks the Lord for His gift of Marilyn as his wife, and through her; the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; Claseida “Jolly” DuBose Runnion and Charles Lester Runnion; and her grandson Clark Davis Drebenstedt I. She is survived by her loving husband, Fred Davis Clark, Sr., sister Carolyn DuBose Runnion, daughter Rhonda (Judd) Peterson, son Fred Davis “Dave” (Cristal) Clark, Jr., and daughter Anne Marie (Roy) Drebenstedt. Mema is survived by grandchildren; Rachel (Greg) Ciola, Rebecca (Aaron) Kassler, Adrienne Clark, Emily (Chad) McGhee, Caysee Clark, Brooke Clark, Skyler Clark, Kaidon Clark, Landon Clark, Ryan (Stacy) Drebenstedt, Sarah Drebenstedt, and Clark Drebenstedt II. Great grandchildren are Jeremiah, Joseph, Jordan, and Joel Ciola; Annelie, Chandler, and Kailyn McGhee; Riley Edwards, and a great grandson (Peterson Kassler) due in November.

In lieu of flowers:
Orange County Jail Ministry
PO Box 568521
Orlando, FL 32856

(Key Largo) Visitation Saturday, Oct. 27 at 3:00 p.m. at Key Largo First Baptist Church, Funeral service to begin at 4:00 pm.
(Orlando) Visitation Monday, Oct. 29 at 11:00 a.m. at College Park Baptist Church, Funeral service to begin at 12:00 p.m.

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