Janet Clark

Janet E. Clark, 82, of Nashville went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. She peacefully passed away in her sleep at home, following an extended illness. Born Janet Alberta Edwards on February 9, 1943, in Church Hill, Tennessee, she was raised in Kingsport, TN. She was a graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School. While she also lived in Virginia, Kentucky and Florida, Janet spent most of her life in Tennessee, particularly Nashville.

Known for her strong work ethic, Janet spent her long career serving others in the retail, restaurant, and entertainment industries. Like some of her siblings, her retail pursuits began at age 16 at her neighborhood grocery store, Oakwood. Several years later, while working at her local Sears, Roebuck & Co. store, Janet met, fell in love with, and married her co-worker, Freddie. Together, the two went on to operate several of their own businesses in the food industry, including steakhouses. Through the family catering business and ice cream shops, Janet left her mark on Nashville’s landscape, by feeding many of the construction workers, who built some of the city’s iconic buildings downtown, as well as other residential locations. Later, she and Freddie, both, returned to retail. Janet spent the last 10 years of her working life meeting, greeting, and assisting people from all over the world, including some of the world’s biggest entertainment artists, at Bridgestone Arena and Nissan Stadium.

Janet always had a zest for life, showcased by a beautiful smile, hearty laugh, and playful sense of humor. She faced everyday with a “take charge” attitude thanks to her extreme strength from a long love for and faith journey with our Lord and her own unbreakable spirit. A woman of deep, but sometimes quiet faith, Janet attended several churches throughout her lifetime. She loved being outdoors, from rocking on the front porch to sunbathing on a Florida beach to camping at Fall Creek Falls. She enjoyed attending live events in any city in which she was located, especially Nashville. She and Freddie adored dancing together, whether in their kitchen, beside Ronnie Milsap’s piano, in the streets at the Summer Lights Festival, at a special occasion like a wedding, or just anywhere the music and moment inspired them. She was an avid country music fan, especially of her “buddy” Garth Brooks. She and her family were frequent visitors, usually season pass holders, every year Opryland USA was open. She demonstrated her creative side through arts and crafts and dressing up for holidays and other special occasions. She loved wearing her favorite color purple, as a proud member of the Bellevue Belles chapter of the Red Hat Society. The pastime she was most known for was her cooking, especially baking. Her love language was definitely expressed with food. Every occasion, good or bad, and very often “just because I wanted to,” Janet would deliver a delicious concoction to work, a gathering, or a loved one’s home. It often seemed like the options were as bottomless as her big heart, but she was best known for her signature dishes, Pumpkin Bars and Broccoli Cornbread. Sharing her recipes was never a concern, because she would jokingly say, “no one can make them as good as I can anyway.” Those blessed enough to know her and taste those treats know it wasn’t really a joke, because the love she made them with was the ingredient no one else could replicate.

But, of all the things in life she was passionate about, Janet most loved her family. She tirelessly put her loved ones before herself. Opinionated and often believing her way was best, Janet lovingly guided her family. Conceding to her wisdom, Freddie often told his children, “your mother is the best woman I’ve ever known.” It isn’t a cliché to say there isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her family, especially her two children and two granddaughters. Her world revolved around Chad and Kimberly. When she became “Mere” to Hailey and Kelsey, she fought to spend every opportunity possible with them. Her love for the four of them knew absolutely no bounds, nor their’s for her.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Fred “Freddie” Clark; the two women that raised her, her mother, Alberta “Mother” Edwards and grandmother, Golda Mae “Mama” Leonard; grandfather, William Muck “Pappie” Leonard; father, Emory M. Edwards; brothers, Leonard Edwards, Ronald “Ronnie” Edwards, and Emory “E.M.” Edwards, Jr.; sisters, Charolette Ledbetter and MaryAnn Vaughn; paternal brother, Kenneth Edwards; as well as, her mother-in-law, Lucinda “Granny” Thompson; brothers-in-law, John Vaughn, Kyle Clark, Guy Clark, William “Bill” Ledbetter, Ernest “E.C.” Mullins; Larry Shaffer, Dallas Clark; and Bobby Thompson; sisters-in-law, Mary Helen Hamilton, Alta “Altie” Dean, Doris Edwards, Betty Clark, Shirley Clark, Charlotte Edwards, and Sandra Clark; and several nieces and nephews.

Janet is deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her son, Fred “Chad” Clark, II; daughter, Kimberly J. Clark; granddaughters, Hailey Clark and Kelsey Clark; brother, Perry (Christine “Chris”) Edwards; sister, Carol Schaffer; 10 additional paternal brothers and sisters; brother-inlaw, Ronald “Ronnie” Clark; sisters-in-law, Louise Mullins, Patsy Clark, Gwen Thompson, and Regina Thompson; and dozens of nieces and nephews, as well as, numerous friends.

Private arrangements were made for Janet. A public celebration of life may be announced in the future. Chad and Kimberly would like to thank everyone who kept Janet in their thoughts and prayers, during her journey with dementia.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences can be given to the family at williamsfh.com.