KNOXVILLE, TN – Irene Battle Clark, age 95, was born on November 11, 1924 in Fort Valley, Georgia to William and Ruby Drain Battle. She gained her heavenly wings on January 21, 2020 surrounded by her family. She was a faithful member of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. In her early years, she was a Beautician in the Knoxville area and later retired from Baptist Hospital after 25 years of service.
She enjoyed attending church and family reunions. Cooking and traveling especially to casinos. Yet, spending the holidays with her family was what filled her heart with love and happiness the most.
Irene was preceded in death by her son, Heber Clark Jr.; daughter, Minnie Irene Clark; grandson, Brandon Love; granddaughter, Annie Yvette Sutton; both parents, William Battle and Ruby Drain Battle Collins; brothers, Juby, David and Bennie Battle; sister, Annie Ruth Battle; sons-in-law, Clifton Chesney and Lewis Henry Sutton; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Love; sister-in-law, Sarah Battle.
She leaves to cherish her memory: sons, Benjamin Love of Knoxville, TN and David Moses Clark of West Point, NY; daughters, Annie Mae Battle Hodge, Susie Clark of Knoxville, TN, Ruby Clark Sutton of Havelock, NC, Rosa Clark of Knoxville, TN, Willie B. Clark of Hermitage, TN, Minnie Clark Chesney of Knoxville, TN, Desiree Clark of Marietta, GA.
Grandchildren, Richard Clark of Knoxville, TN, Rickey Clark of Antioch, TN, Melissa Lundy of Knoxville, TN, Dr. Col. Melinda Sutton-Martin (Horace) of Joint Base Andrews, MD, Jacqueline Sutton of Havelock, NC, Heber Clark III of Knoxville, TN, Dr. Patrice Clark of Seattle, WA, Valerie Embry (Shagun) of Arlington, TN, John Clark (Nicole) of Norfolk, VA, Mavis Foster (Kenneth), Maurice Clark, Carletta Clark, William Earl Clark (Deandra), Willie Rufus (Luther) Clark, Timothy Clark, Travis Clark, Ronalisa Robinson, all of Knoxville, TN, Janica Nicole Robinson of Antioch, TN, Marcus Chesney, Kaylin Chesney (Erica) of Knoxville, TN, Sheena Chesney of Nashville, TN, Quinten Love of Tullahoma, TN, Jahari Clark of St. Louis, MO, David Clark Jr, Noah Clark of Knoxville, TN.
46 great-grandchildren and 23 great great-grandchildren; brother, Henry Battle of Walnut, CA; sisters, Mildred Porterfield, Dr. Ruby P. Cochran, Mittie Wilson, all of Knoxville, TN; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; very devoted cousin, Ricky Davis; devoted adopted sons, Walter Clay Simpson (Veronica), Beal Bourne (Peggy), Pastor Steve Simpson (Barbara); devoted friends, Betty Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Boysie Turner, Lula Williams, Maxine Dubose, Mary Ruth Reed, Frankie Riddles, Juanita Grant, Brian Tillery, Senior Companion Patricia George, and the Tabernacle Senior Usher Board.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020, the family will receive friends from 11 to 12 p.m. with a Celebration of a Life Well Lived to follow at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2137 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Knoxville, TN. Pastor Steve A. Simpson, Sr. will officiate. Entombment to follow at Sherwood Memorial Gardens, Alcoa, TN, where a white dove release will conclude the service. Flowers may be delivered to the church the morning of the service. Professional arrangements entrusted to Patton Funeral Home, Brian L. Buckmon, LFD 1-800-824-8283 or www.pattonfuneralhome1962.com.
Ms. Irene, Honey you lived a Long and Fruitful Life and was Loved by All. You will be missed. I remember the last time I saw you, you made me laugh so hard about my shoes..LOL.