Mary Clark Paul

Mary Clark Paul
December 24, 1927 – September 18, 2020

Mama was born on Christmas Eve 1927 and she has always been a gift to us. The daughter of Joseph David Clark and Annie Laura Bishop Clark, she was the fourth of eight children. When Mama was eight years old she went to live with Caleb and Necy Woolard. They raised her as their daughter and helped provide for her other siblings as well.

Mama married Laurice Cleveland Alligood in 1942 and they had three children, Alva, Rita and Kenneth. At a young age, she became a widow with three small children. In 1962, Mama married Claude "Ray" Paul. They had one daughter, Pam.

Mama instilled a strong work ethic in all her children. Growing up in the country, she was no stranger to hard work. She helped with the tobacco crops and worked in the cotton fields. As she got older, her job would be to cook lunch for all the tobacco workers. Mama went to work at Hamilton Beach Small Appliance Company in 1966 and retired in 1989. She would work long hours to provide for her family and always put herself last.

At home, she was always busy. Mama kept her house spotless and you always took your shoes off at the door. She was just as peculiar about her yard. If you helped her mow the grass, she first had to give you a lesson on how to do it. Mama loved cooking big Sunday dinners for her family. Collards were her specialty and she always made sure there was enough for everybody to take some home with them. Gathered around her table, many good memories were made.

Mama loved to have her children together. As our family grew, she welcomed each and every one and loved them the same. Mama had a way of loving us each individually and making us feel special to her. She often called to check on us and make sure everyone was okay. She'd ask what we were having for supper and always tell us to get some rest. Mama's favorite companion was her chihuahua, Poppy. He kept her company and she would talk to him like he was one of her children.

Mama always kept us smiling. Her original songs and silly sayings will be passed down through generations. We all inherited her sense of humor and quick wit.

Mama was a member of Rosemary Church of Christ and peacefully passed into the arms of the Lord on September 18, 2020 with her family by her side. We will all carry a piece of her heart within us. Left to carry on Mama's legacy are her children, Rita Thompson, Kenneth Alligood and wife Myra, and Pam Anstead and husband Cliff. Lovingly known as Grandma, Granny and Nannie, Mama leaves seven grandchildren to cherish her memory. They are Rodney Alligood and wife Tammy, Christy Donaldson and husband Mike, Angela Hawley and husband Jonathan, Michael Lee, April Staples and husband Billy, Mary Kathryn Lee, Matthew Thompson and Shawn. Mama was Great-Grandmother to Kellie Klein and husband Matt, Ivy Lee, Chesney Staples, Madison Hawley, Tyler Alligood, Haley Lee, Mikaila Foushee, Cameron Hawley, Olivia Toms, Nola Toms, Ethan Toms, Emery Staples, Piper Lee and Nicholas Donaldson. She had three great-great grandchildren, Grayson, Jovie and Jacob Klein.

Mama was predeceased by her parents, the fathers of her children, Laurice Alligood and Ray Paul, one daughter Alva Davidson and seven brothers and sisters, Joseph "Dave" Clark, Darrell Clark, Annie Laura "Mammy" Henriksen, Calvin Clark, John "JC" Clark, William "Red" Clark and Geraldine Roebuck.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers from Community Home Care and Hospice for the kindness and compassion they shared over the last few weeks.

A private family visitation will be on Monday, September 21st at 6:00 at Washington Assembly of God. Graveside services will be held at Pamlico Memorial Gardens on Tuesday, September 22nd at 3:00. The family will receive friends after the service.

You may share a memory with the family by visiting www.josephpaulfdl.com.

Joseph B. Paul, Jr. Funeral Director Licensee of Washington is serving the family.