James E. "Ed" Clark

Services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday at Jones Funeral Home Beaumont Chapel for Mr. James E. "Ed" Clark, 84, of Brooklyn, formerly of Beaumont, MS. Mr. Clark died Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Wesley Medical Center. Interment service will be in Union Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors.
Mr. Clark was the owner of the Snack Bar/Clark's Cafe in Beaumont, MS for over twenty years. He began his music career in California. Mr. Clark was a professional vocalist and bass player. He played western swing, gospel, and jazz. He recorded several albums and played with nationally recognized artists as Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Faron Young and Buck Owens. He was a member of the Musicians Union since 1948. Mr. Clark played with the Biloxi Jazz Band at the Boomtown Casino for eleven years. During the 1960's, Mr. Clark played with the band on the McCaffery Hour Television Show.
A member of Brooklyn United Methodist Church and a WW II US Army veteran.
Mr. Clark was preceded in death two sons, Fred Woolsey and Justin Clark; 1 grandson, Freddy Woolsey; 1 sister, Bertie Faye Dykes; 1 brother, J.C. Clark; his parents Nancy and Jesse Clark.
He is survived by his wife, Pearl Johnson Clark of Brooklyn; 2 sons, Buddy Clark of Brooklyn, MS and Jesse Clark of Beaumont; 2 daughters, Susan Pittman of Beaumont and Jeanette "Peanut" Beasley of Richton, MS; and 1 sister, Helen Rae Herring of Beaumont; 16 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Tuesday at the Jones Funeral home Beaumont Chapel.
Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home in Hattiesburg, MS is in charge of arrangements.