Kitty Ann (Shepherd) Clark was born April 19th, 1941, and was a longtime resident of Larned, KS. She was born to Samuel Shepherd and Thelma Rose (Caro) Shepherd and was the third of seven siblings, whom she loved and adored greatly. Kitty is preceded in death by her Sister Betty Stubbfield, Sister Elizabeth Moore, Brother John Shepherd, Brother Thomas Shepherd, Sister-in-law Charlotte (Clark) Hines, Brother-in-law Wayne Clark and Sister-in-law Charlene Caro. She is survived by her Sister Sammie Perkins, Sister Billie Broils, Brother Bruce (Debbie) Shepherd, Brother-in-law Bishop Moore, Sister-in-law Darlene Shepherd, Brother-in-law Ron Clark, Brother-in-law Jimmy Collins, and Sister-in-law Inez Collins.
Kitty married her husband Michael “Mike” Clark Sr. on July 14, 1956, at Escue Chapel in Larned, Kansas. Kitty and Mike shared 59 years of marriage until he proceeded her in death on March 14th, 2016. From the union of their marriage they had four children. She was proceeded in death by her son Michael (Survived by Rene) Clark Jr. She is survived by a Son Cecil (Bernadine) Clark and two daughters: Daughter Denise Clark-Shellman, and Daughter Brenda (Steven) Tyler. She is also survived by 13 Grandchildren: Tyrone Clark, Lamont Clark, Shayla Tyler, Nakia Zeigler, Pamela Clark, Shraya (Kasseem Sr.) Grigler, Sharmara Shellman, Christopher Clark, Larry Shellman, Deanna Shellman, Stefanie Clark, Brittany Clark, and Jene (Jason) Humphrey; 36 Great-Grandchildren and a host of Uncles, Aunts, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and Friends.
Although she was a longtime resident of Larned, Kansas she also spent time living in Colorado Springs, CO. She dedicated herself to being a loving and affectionate mother and housewife throughout her children’s youth. She then began her career and devoted 35 years of service at the Larned State Hospital working in various capacities including: Dietary, Production, Licensed Mental Health Aide, Supervisor, and YSS1 at Youth Center at Larned (YCAL).
She also was a proud Saucier at Clark’s BBQ, she worked in sales at Clark’s Beauty Salon, the proud Co-Owner and Co-Operator of ABC Boutique with her sister Billie Broils. She worked various positions at the church in Stewardship, Usher, and Communion Board member. She was in the Caro Smith Family Reunion Treasury, A Food Pantry Volunteer, Pawnee County Voter Registrar, and Relay for Life - American Cancer Society member. Kitty was also a member of: The Women of Esque, The Ebony Social Club, The Black Heritage Club and The Red Hat Society.
Her hobbies included but were not limited to reading and sharing daily inspirations, devotionals, reading her bible, going to and working in and around her church. She enjoyed playing games like Phase 10, Bid Wiz, Pokeno, Uno, Bingo, Quarters, and Wahoo. She was an avid Bingo player and occasional Gambler. Even though her name was Kitty and she did not like cats, she often fed stray cats, and other animals in the neighborhood. She also enjoyed Crocheting, Fashion, Modeling, Gardening, Community and Volunteer work, Outreach toward her neighbors, Baking and sending her famous holiday boxes. Kitty really enjoyed Traveling, some of her most notable trips were to destinations such as: Las Vegas, Washington, California, Texas, Chicago, Arizona, Milwaukee, Niagara Falls, Florida, Bahamas, Jamaica, Italy, and Rome. She loved going on road trips in the RV with her family. She also enjoyed sitting out by the fire sharing laughs and memories with family, friends and loved ones.
She was a woman of astounding faith and incredible discernment. She was a great listener to many, a confidant and a friend to all. She was funny, loving, beautiful, honorary, stubborn at times, competitive, honest, warm, the highest amount of loyalty, genuine, forgiving, virtuous, she was forward thinking, some might say bossy others may she was a strong leader. She was an undeniable blessing to everyone that she came into contact with, committing wholly to whatever she was called to.
Memorial service will be held 11:00 am Friday, February 12, 2021, at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Damon Bradley presiding along with Elder Hill and Pastor Steven. Service will be viewable virtually via Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/beckwithmortuary. Visitation will be from 9am to 8pm Thursday, February 11, 2021, at Beckwith Mortuary with family present from 6pm to 8pm. Private family inurnment will be at the Larned Cemetery at a later date. We kindly request those in attendance to wear masks and partake in social distancing practices.
Memorials may be given to the Kitty Ann Clark Memorial Fund in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, KS. 67550.