Joseph "Joe" Mitchell Clark

Mr. Joseph “Joe” Mitchell Clark, age 86, of Blackshear, passed away Tuesday morning (2/17/2026) at his residence following an extended illness.

Born September 8, 1939, in Blackshear, he was the son of the late Joseph Pharaoh and Evelyn Spradley Clark.  He lived most of his life in Pierce County and was a 1957 graduate of Blackshear High School.  He had served with the United States Army National Guard for 6 years and was a longtime banker, having worked with People’s Bank in Blackshear from 1966 to 2001, retiring as a loan officer.

He was a member of Blackshear First Baptist Church and attended the Enriched Sunday School Class. He also served as a former church treasurer.

Active in his community and an avid outdoorsman, he was a founding member of the Blackshear Exchange Club, a member of the Pierce County Hunting Club, and the Pierce County Fox Hunter’s Association. 

He was a longtime fan of NASCAR and enjoyed spending time with his faithful companions, Pug and Tillie.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant granddaughter; and 3 sisters, Alice Mullis, Jeannine McFadyen, and Infant Betty Lou Clark.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Nell B. Clark of Blackshear; daughter, Karen Clark of Blackshear; 2 grandchildren, Trent Strickland (Ashton) of Mershon and Katie Strickland of Blackshear; 3 great grandchildren, Adalyn Poole, Hance Strickland, and Stella Strickland; honorary grandchildren, Joey Melton, Joel Roberson, and Alison Byrd; 2 sisters, Bobbie Jean Howard of Blackshear and Ruth Beezley of Statesboro; sister-in-law, Betty Jo Gibbs of Brunswick; a brother-in-law, Ian McFadyen of Bristol; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives.

A funeral service will take place on Friday (2/20/2026) at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Hart Funeral Home with Dr. Justin Gambrell officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackshear City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31501, Blackshear First Baptist Church, 670 Main Street, Blackshear, GA 31516, or to the Georgia Sheriffs’ Boys Ranch, 5671 Boys Ranch Road, Hahira, GA 31632.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.

Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.

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