Mother Louise Clark

“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”- (2 Corinthians 5:1-8 ESV)

Mother Louise (Williams) Clark was born on December 23, 1937, in Louisiana, Arkansas to the lineage of Cletus and Elizabeth Williams.

At an early age, her parents—with Louise in tow—migrated north to Gary, Indiana, where she spent the remainder of her formative years in Gary. As a young adult, she relocated to Benton Harbor, Michigan. Upon moving to Benton Harbor, she met and fell in love with Mr. Ben Clark. The couple later united in holy matrimony, and to this union, a blended family of eight children was wrought: Casey, Terry, Dorothy, Ricky, George, Debra, Sandra, and Michael.

Louise spent her early adult years working on a local farm and was later employed at Lakeland Continuing Care Center—where she worked in many areas, including nursing, laundry, and housekeeping, until she retired. She was fun-loving, and could always be found fishing, listening to her church music, and/or spending time with her family.

Louise confessed her hope in Christ at an early age, and upon arriving in Benton Harbor, she united with the Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. H.C. Christian. She faithfully served in many capacities here including the Usher Board, the Pastor’s Aide, and the choir, and the Mother’s Board. Upon the dissolution of Sweet Home, she united with the Israelite Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Joe N. Bruins, where she continued to serve on the Senior Usher Board. She loved serving as an usher and was committed to her post until she went home to be with the Lord.

After a lengthy health battle, the Lord saw that Louise was getting tired. Mother Louise Clark believed in Jesus Christ and knew that Christianity did not exempt one from death, but that it certainly ensured triumph over death.  She was very faithful and faced her illness with grace and dignity, and late in the evening on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, the Lord called her from labor to rest surrounded by the love, presence, and prayers of her family.

She leaves to cherish her memory, five children: Terry Byndum, Dorothy Byndum, George Byndum, Sandra Taylor, and Michael (Denise) Clark; a special granddaughter, Qushina Taylor-Barney; a special grandson, John Evans, Jr., 24 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and a host of extended family, friends, and church family who all loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Cletus and Elizabeth Williams; her husband, Ben Clark; two sons: Casey Byndum, Jr. and Ricky Lee Byndum; one daughter, Debra Thomas; and her brother, Joe Williams. 

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