Carol (Courtesy) Obituary

Friday, September 26, 2025, marked the passing of Carol Ilene Kelley Clark. Carol was born June 8, 1951, in Toccoa, Georgia.

Carol was blessed with the gift of music and mastered both the piano and organ by sixteen at which time she began playing for First Baptist Church of Toccoa and traveled to other local churches throughout the surrounding Toccoa area. She also sang with her church choir when she wasn't playing the piano. After graduating from Toccoa High School in 1969, Carol continued her education at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, in pursuit of a music degree. However, upon achieving her degree, she decided to earn a teaching certificate with the University of Georgia in Athens where she taught elementary school. Years later, she earned her master's degree in middle grades from Georgia Southern College in Statesboro, Georgia. She taught for over 30 years, primarily in 7th grade English and 8th grade Georgia History, before retiring in 2005. She was a lifelong book lover and would sometimes read more than 4 books in a week. She loved her cats and also enjoyed cross-stitching, knitting, and crocheting.

She was a loving mother who helped sponsor her daughter's cheerleading team and fully supported her son's marching band. She touched many lives and will be sorely missed.

Carol is preceded in death by her brother, Michael Edward Kelley, her parents, Robert Hubert Kelley and Willie Mae Rickman, and many special aunts and uncles.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law Kelley Kristine Clark and Chris Grantham of Elba, Alabama, son Neal Crawford Clark of Port Wentworth, Georgia, granddaughter Gracie Britt Grantham, grandsons Grady Beauchamp Grantham and Robert Christopher Grantham, several nieces and nephews, and special caregivers Shelby Umberhandt and Lacey Lane.

The immediate family will have a private memorial.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project.

This announcement courtesy of Acree-Davis Funeral Home.