Tommy Earl Clark, 72, of Ethelsville, AL, passed away Monday, January 15, 2024, at his residence.

The visitation will be on Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 1:00-2:00 PM at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS.  The memorial service will follow at 2:00 PM in the chapel at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS with Rev. Prentis Gordon, Jr. officiating.

Tommy Earl Clark was born in Macon, Mississippi to Ollie Nick Clark and Mollie Vernice Higginbotham Clark in February of 1951.  His life consisted of telling story after story with his wit that so defined his personality.  Tommy Earl left his story telling behind on January 15, 2024 and hopefully this obituary will try to tell of his life story in a few short words.

Tommy Earl graduated Noxubee High School.  He played football and baseball, batting third in the line-up on the baseball team.  His Coach, Joe Brashaw, always called Tommy Earl "a natural" during these high school years.  After Noxubee High, he attended Scooba, as he called it, but which is East Mississippi Community College if you want to get formal.  Tommy Earl graduated Delta State in 1973 and started his coaching and teaching careers.

He took his first job at Central Academy as a history teacher and football and baseball coach under the watchful eye of head coach, David Butler.  Next, you would have found him at Heritage Academy, teaching and assisting Ray Wooten with the Patriot's football team and golf team.  A few years at Oak Hill Academy in West Point, Mississippi and back to New Hope High School here in Lowndes County where he always touted his experience with Dale Hardin, who was the football coach of the Trojans. Tommy Earl taught and coached for 42 ½ years, retiring in December, 2015.  A life he felt was well spent and the students that he taught and coached would agree.

Tommy Earl was one of those fellows that can only be describe as "what you see is what you get".  There were no frills or fanfare with him.  The only luxury he gave himself was a pedicure every six weeks with Tiffany Chesser Graves.  Like most old women (and now we know, old men too) you had better not mess with his appointment with Tiffany.  Their discussions of Alabama football were legendary and were not to be missed.

Tommy Earl could talk for hours about Alabama and the football season.  All one had to do was just ask him.  He lived to see the end of the Saban era and would see the new coach touch-down in Tuscaloosa.  Of course, he would have gladly entertained you with what was about to happen in T-Town!

Tommy Earl Clark leaves behind his wife, Judy Lawrence Clark, whom he loved dearly for 30 ½ years.  Their children Brandi Blackley (Brian), Brooke Manning (Warren) and Rich Brandon (Angela) along with their children Erin Knoll (Austin), Lauren Blackley, Reese Manning, Anna Manning, Maggie Manning and Ada Brandon and Ruby Brandon will not travel back home without missing Tommy Earl's tales! All of these children and grandchildren came home every summer to attend Tabernacle Campground which Judy's family had been a part of too many years to name. Fond memories were made with Tommy Earl swinging on the porch of their family cabin during the hot summer nights.

Nick Clark (Jane) was Tommy Earl's brother.  Nick and Jane still live on the family land in Noxubee County and will miss him along with Nick's sons, Jay (Julie) and Connor (Betsy) with their children Mary Morgan, Laura Beth and Benjamin and Caroline.

Honorary Pallbearers – Dr. Robbie Godwin, Valerie Brown-DNP, Sara Veazey Brewer- Medical Asst., Kala White Wilson- DNP; Betsy Waters Hicks, David Butler, Ray Wooten, Yandell Harris, Blake Prescott- former SRO at New Hope High School, G.T. Thames-deceased, Dale Hardin, Michael Bradley, All athletes and former students.

A very special "Thanks" has to be given to the following:  Mike & Brandy Coleman, Dalton, Larry & Kay Manzillio, Bobby Bain, Butch Hill, Forest Fire & Rescue Squad and the Alabama Hospice Care of Tuscaloosa-Tracey, Britanni, Braxton, Amy & Stacey. All of your loving and compassionate care could never be forgotten.

Roll Tide, Tommy Earl, we will keep on cheering!