CARBONDALE, Kan. – Anita Marie Clark, 84, pastor of Grace Chapel, of Carbondale, Kan., since 2012, passed away March 13, 2025, in Topeka, Kan. She was born May 4, 1940, in Yale, Okla., to Ralph and Dorothy (Murphy) Hawk, the fifth of six children.
Her father was an evangelist and pastor, and in Anita’s childhood, the entire family participated in revival meetings and street ministry. The family sang and played musical instruments on street corners in several towns in Oklahoma, as they sought to bring the good news of Jesus to others. For a time, the family even produced a weekly Christian radio show.
Early in Pastor Anita’s life, she felt the call of God to become a minister and, at age 15, went to Grace and Glory Bible College, Kansas City, Mo. After graduating in 1957, Anita was ordained to the ministry. She married the love of her life, a young minister named Roy L. Clark, on June 2, 1957, in Kansas City. She worked alongside him in ministry for 55 years as they served at churches in New Mexico, California, Texas, and Kansas until he died in 2012.
The couple had three children: David, Annette, and Timothy. Anita was a devoted and loving mother, teaching her children by example and instructing them on God’s love and care.
Pastor Anita loved to study and teach the Bible in and outside of a church setting. Throughout her years of ministry, she lived her life in service to others as she provided individual counsel, discipling, mentoring, physical care, and friendship to many people. She consistently demonstrated God’s love and goodness to those who knew her and was an example of enduring faith and perseverance when life was difficult and challenging.
In addition to being a scholar of Scripture, Pastor Anita had a curious mind and loved to read and study many subjects. She loved learning about the natural world and rejoiced seeing God’s hand in all he has created. In her lifetime, she also became a certified dental assistant, took college courses at several universities, and received a bachelor’s degree in human resources from Friends University in Kansas.
In 2012, Anita added her daughter Annette’s five stepchildren into her family with open arms, loving and accepting them and their children as her own grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Anita is survived by her son, David Clark, of New Mexico; daughter, Annette Daniel, of Kansas; and six grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at Grace Chapel, 419 S. Third St., Carbondale. Visitation will start at 10 a.m. at the church before the service. Burial will be in Carbondale Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to The Gideon’s or to Grace Chapel. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com, Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451.
