Shirley Clark

Shirley Ann Clark was born on December 20, 1947, to George Clark and Johnnie Mae Greenwood Stancil in Meridian, Mississippi. During Shirley’s early years she was a student at Bailey Elementary School and Middleton Attendance Center, and a member of Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Shirley lost her father at the age of two, and her mother subsequently remarried. She then lived with her maternal grandparents, Ruthford Greenwood and Lela Greenwood, as well as six aunts and uncles who were like siblings to her.

At 18, Shirley moved to Portland, Oregon, where her paternal grandmother Rosie Davis and six of her aunts resided. She graduated from Multnomah College and pursued a career in the banking industry, while raising two daughters, Mia Annette Clark and La Shanda Evon Hurst. Shirley worked at First National Bank, First Interstate Bank, and Wells Fargo at the 5th and Morrison downtown Portland location.

After over forty years in the banking industry, Shirley retired from Wells Fargo. In retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, Nia Yvonne Blassingame and Niles Franklin Blassingame, and traveling to Mississippi to visit her mom and family members.

Shirley maintained a strong religious faith. She attended Williams Temple, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, and Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. At Antioch, she was active in Sunday school, bible study, and ushering activities.

In her 59 years in Portland, Oregon, she established friendships that transcended into family bonds. Shirley possessed long-standing, deep friendships with those including Leslie E. Hurst, Sally Hurst, Tracy Hurst, Nathaniel and Rose Kennedy, Thelma Diggs, Tyra Brooks, and Peggy Glenn.

Shirley enjoyed gardening, shopping at Home Depot, walking, watching game shows and "Murder She Wrote," and riding the Tri-Met Bus. She proudly wore University of Oregon and Grambling State University sweatshirts, celebrating her daughters' and granddaughter's college successes. Shirley shared a special bond with her grandson, Niles, who was her Tri-Met riding companion. As her illness progressed, her primary goal was to see him graduate from high school. However, it was clear that she needed to rest.

On Friday, November 29, 2024, Shirley Ann Clark went home to be with the Lord. She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Mia Annette Clark, sister Audrey Stancil Burrage, and brothers Michael Stancil, Paul Stancil, and Donald Stancil.

Shirley Ann is survived by her daughter La Shanda Evon Hurst, sisters Robin (Oscar) Joseph of Pass Christian, MS, and Veronica Stancil of Bailey, MS, brothers Carl Stancil, Gary Stancil of Bailey, MS, and Ronald Stancil of Meridian, MS, uncles Willie Greenwood and Bennie Ray (Vinnie) Greenwood of Vallejo, California, grandchildren Nia and Niles Blassingame, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family members, and friends.

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