Mildred Craft Clark | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Mildred Craft, Clark, 93, of the Sportsman Hideaway Community near Belhaven, NC passed away peacefully from her earthly life on April 10, 2024, in Little River, South Carolina.

    She was born September 3, 1930, in Plymouth, NC, the daughter of the late Clara Allen Craft and Cecil Clarence Craft. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Julian Harvey (Snookey) Clark and her dear aunt and uncle, Neva Allen Darden and Stewart Franklin Darden. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Edward (Ed) Craft, her sister, Evelyn Craft Duzan, her half-brother Cecil Clarence Craft, Jr., and her son-in-law, Joseph Charles Jeffcoat.

    Mildred is survived by her daughter, Tonda Clark Jeffcoat; granddaughter, Casey Brooke Jeffcoat of Carolina Shores, NC; grandson, Cody Allen Jeffcoat (Joy and children) of Cary, NC; nephews, Ronald Craft and wife, Linda (who were like a son and daughter to her), Ed Craft (Elisabeth), and Howard Duzan (Jennifer). She is also survived by many extended family members and countless friends who have become family.

    Mildred was born and raised in Plymouth, NC by her parents, Clara and Cecil Craft. Upon the death of her mother when Mildred was 6 years old, she went to live with her Aunt Neva and Uncle Stewart. She grew up in a loving home and attended grade school, and high school in Plymouth, surrounded by family and many wonderful, life-long friends. Upon graduation, she moved to Elizabeth City, NC with a cousin, to pursue a job as an x-ray technician. A chance blind date with a young man from Norfolk, VA would ultimately lead her to marriage to "Snookey" Clark on June 23, 1950. In 1951, they welcomed their only child, Tonda. As a young family, they lived in Norfolk, VA, but soon moved to Plymouth and established their home there. Mildred was a loving and nurturing full-time mother, the only job she ever really wanted. Around the mid-60s, Mildred and Snookey purchased a property on the Pungo River near Belhaven, NC called Sportsman's Hideaway. Eventually building a house there, they moved to their river house following retirement. The house by the water was their favorite place on earth. The neighborhood was filled with family and close friends who became fishing buddies and more like brothers and sisters than friends. They also became actively involved in Bethany United Methodist Church (now Bethany Methodist), with both of them singing in the choir. Mildred's church family also became "her family". Her "card playing buddies" became her sisters, a group that has lasted for at least 17 years. She also had a card playing group in New Bern whom she loved dearly. She enjoyed fishing, playing cards, crafts, eating good food, and talking with her family and friends. In September 2023, following in illness, Mildred moved in with her daughter, Tonda, in Little River, SC. Able to travel back-and-forth, she still got to enjoy her house at the river and the friends there, along with her Little River house and her friends.

    Mildred was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and loyal friend to many. Throughout her 93 years, she deeply loved her Lord, her family, and her friends. She brought so much grace, goodness, happiness, and light into this world. She will be greatly missed by her family and by all of those whose lives she touched.

    The family would like to thank her caregivers: Grand Strand Hospital staff and Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, especially Tosha, for their excellent and compassionate care of Mildred.

    A service will be held on Monday, April 15th, with visitation starting at 12:00, followed by the service at 1:00 at Bethany Methodist Church in Winsteadville, NC. Burial will follow at Winley Cemetery in Plymouth, NC.

    In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bethany Methodist Church, 2766 S. Savannah Road, Belhaven NC 27810, and Cape Fear LifeCare, 1314 3rd Ave, Conway SC 29526.

    Condolences may be addressed to the family online by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Clark family.