Loving mother, Carrie Dianne Rowland Clark, 77 years, seven months and 26 days, of Hornsby went to be with the Lord on Nov. 4, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Though the family’s hearts are heavy, they rejoice knowing that she is resting in the arms of Jesus, free from pain and with her new body.
Funeral services were 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue with Bro. Jared Walters officiating. Burial followed at Woodville Cemetery.
The family received friends at Crook Avenue from 5-8 p.m. on Monday and from noon-2 p.m. service time on Tuesday. The family would like to express deep appreciation to Legacy Hospice for the exceptional care given to our mother and the help given to allow her to transition to her Heavenly Home.
She was born March 9, 1948, in the Woodville Community of Chester County, the daughter of the late Lila Jo Henson Rowland and Marvin Lee Rowland. She was the only daughter and had three brothers. She graduated from Chester County High School in 1966. In August 1966, she met the love of her life, Ernest Howard Clark. After four short months, they were married on Dec. 21, 1966, in Florence, Ala. They were married 58 years, 10 months and 14 days. They were the epitome of true love, devotion and commitment. Together, they built a home filled with faith, laughter and love.
To this union were born two daughters for whom Dianne traded a career to become a full-time homemaker and mother. Her love for her family was unconditional. She was their teacher, their encourager and their comforter. She was a strong Christian woman. She taught her family about the Lord and that faith in him could move mountains. She not only professed her love of Jesus but also reflected in her life that she walked daily and closely with Jesus, her savior. She was a faithful member of the Mitchell’s Chapel Baptist Church in Masseyville until her health failed her. She also led the song services for years at her home church. She had a beautiful voice and loved singing to her Lord.
Dianne loved gardening and canned and preserved most of the food that grew in the garden. She also had a green thumb and could grow any flower there was. She always had a big flowering plant inside and outside. She was an exceptional cook, and she loved to cook for her family. She fed everyone that came to our house, and many Sundays, she fed their preacher and family.
She was an amazing daughter, sister, wife, mother and Nana; of all of the titles she had, she was most proud of being a Nana. She sacrificed a career and stayed home and was a wonderful wife and mother. She also took care of her grandchildren so her daughters could work. She had a special bond with each of them. When her health failed, it did not stop her from watching her beloved St. Louis Cardinals baseball team play on TV. She was a true fan. No matter who you were when you stepped into “Mama’s Home,” you were family! She was the heart of the family – their Matriarch. Her wonderful food filled their bellies, but her faith nourished their souls. Her journey on earth has ended but her story continues. Her legacy of faith and love will never fade.
She is survived by her husband, Ernest Howard Clark of Woodville; her loving daughters, Carrie Lawenda “Wendy” (David, deceased 2024) Clark Lane of Finger and Marva Lee (Bart) Clark Allen of Woodville Community; her devoted grandchildren, Clark (Courtney) Massengill of Woodville, Carie (Christopher) Cox of Henderson and Clay (Alexis) Massengill of Brownsville and Caden (Fiancé Emma Kiestler) Sanders of the Woodville Community; great-grandchildren, Cameron Jumper, Brooks Alexander Cox and Madeline Rose Cox with one greatly anticipated on the way, Colter Adam Massengill due January 2026; two brothers, Eddie Prentice Rowland and Joe Earl (Shirley) Rowland of the Woodville Community; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who loved her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin Lee Rowland (1984) and Lila Joe Rowland (2014); a brother, Leon Wren Rowland (2016); and her first great-grandson, Levi Trace Massengill (2010).
