Mary F. Baudat Clark

Funeral services for Mary Frances Baudat Clark, 84, of Kilgore will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026, at Two O’clock in the afternoon at Pirtle Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Pirtle Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from One O’clock until Two O’clock before the service on Monday.

Mary Frances Baudat Clark was born on August 15, 1941, and left this world on February 4, 2026, surrounded by her family. She grew up in Houston, Texas, and graduated from Smiley High School. In 1965, she moved to Troup with her husband, Alvin Dale Clark, and two of their three children. In 1970, they made their final move to Pirtle after the birth of their third child, and Mary remained there until her passing.

Mary devoted her life to others. She raised her three children–and often fed extra teenagers over the weekends. At the end of the meal, each one left the table saying, “Sure was good Aunt Mary,” whether she was their aunt or not–and she loved it. She helped raise six grandchildren and multiple great-grandchildren. Anyone, really, who needed a lesson, a lecture, a scolding, or a hot meal–got it whether he or she wanted it or not. Her pantry was full, as well as her heart, and her door was always open. She could cook anything, and over the years at Pirtle Methodist Church–she became what some call “almost famous” for her pies. Also, she took great pride in her business savvy and memory-–and ran a family boat business in Longview in the 70’s and 80’s–and then went to work for Grace Fellowship in Kilgore, where she ran the preacher’s life too (sorry BN). She retired at age 82. Mary had a true servant’s heart; she was a member of Pirtle Methodist Church–and loved churchwork there also. She had many friends, and her kids will testify no one has ever said a negative word about her character, strength, or virtue. She didn’t have a lot of hobbies and never longed to be a world traveler–all she wanted was for her kids, family, and friends to be happy and healthy–and come see her often–and that’s why there were always leftovers in the fridge and Blue Bell in the freezer–all they had to do was come visit her. She believed in food bribery with her heart and soul–and looked forward to sometimes daily visits in return for a bowl of ice cream.

Mary Frances Baudat Clark will be missed by everyone who knew her, but her lessons will live on–don’t hit your sister or brother, be nice, and get along with others. Her philosophy was simple, and she leaves these beliefs for all the lives she touched. Life will never be the same for her children, Damon Clark and wife Rene; Kim Rhodes; and Julie Blundell; grandchildren, Joshua Shaw, Kristin Pieper and husband Jody Pieper; Jennifer Williams and husband Dash; Alicia Clark; Luke McKellar and wife Chloe; and Olivia Blundell; great-grandchildren Carlee, Case, and Chett Pieper; Dylan Williams; Frances and Jane Shaw; Danni Smith; and Oliver McKellar arrives in a few weeks. He will grow up hearing stories of his great-grandma. Most of her family lived within a stone’s throw–and that is what made her most happy. She also leaves behind her sisters, Annette Bethany, formerly of Spring–but now of Pirtle, Eva Watson of Jasper, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Dale Clark; her parents, Emile Frances Baudat and Annie Dorothy Baudat; brothers, Emile and Jimmy Baudat; sister, Dorothy Baudat Emerson. Rest assured, if you were close to Mary, she will be greeting you at the gates of Heaven and have a good meal waiting–so no worries if you missed your last meal here because a better one will be on the menu–and Mary Clark will be serving it in Heaven.