Dorothy Vining Clark
July 23, 1933 – June 16, 2024
Dorothy Dean Vining Clark was a wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, and sister who died peacefully at the age of 90 at home in Ruston, with family around her after a lengthy illness.
She was born in West Carroll Parish in the village of Forest to Mike Lee Vining and Stella Oldham Vining on July 23, 1933. Her parents preceded her in death.
The Vining family was a large and happy one. Her siblings who preceded her in death included Dixie Vining Harrison, Long Allen Vining, Robert Vining, Michael “Mitch” Vining, and Harry Vining. Those surviving include Joy Vining Ferrell, Mary Vining Morgan, and Mike Vining (Sammie).
Dorothy graduated from Forest High School and immediately enrolled at Louisiana Tech. There, she met the love of her life, Glenn E. Clark, who passed in December 2019.
They were married on July 1, 1954 at First Baptist Church and proceeded to live in Ruston the rest of their lives with short stints in Baton Rouge, College Station, Texas, and Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for educational purposes.
Between the two of them, they achieved three advanced degrees after their marriage. They built their first home together on Dogwood Street in 1963 and remained there until death while raising their four daughters: Glenna Clark Fallin (Russell) of Baton Rouge; Connie Clark Schavrien (Steve) of Frisco, Texas, Karen Clark Canterbury (James) of Richardson, Texas, and Cynthia Clark of Ruston.
Dorothy and Glenn, both educators, were proud of their grandchildrenwhoallreceived college degrees and some with advanced degrees: Laura Schavrien Rummel ( Hayden) of Frisco, Texas; Christopher Fallin of Baton Rouge; Lisa Schavrien of Baton Rouge, Rebecca Fallin Allen (Mark) of Fort Worth, Texas, Sarah Canterbury Kyne ( Eoghan) of Seattle, Washington; and Jason Canterbury (Heather) of Austin, Texas. Left to cherish her memory are five great- grandchildren: Eloise Allen, Madeline Allen, Eamonn Kyne, Seamus Kyne and Caroline Canterbury.
Many will remember Mrs. Clark as the Algebra I or English III teacher at Ruston High School which was a highpoint of her life, whether it be in the classroom, sponsoring students at the Louisiana High School State Rally, preparation for ACT exams or at Ruston High School football games.
Mrs. Clark was active as a volunteer in Girl Scouts, church youth groups, Lincoln Parish Retired Teachers’ Association, and served as treasurer for the Pierian Club. Services for Mrs. Clark will be held at First Baptist Church of Ruston where Mrs. Clark was a member for 70 years on Friday, June 21, 2024, led by Dr. Chris Craig and Rev. Clayton Owen. Visitation time is 1 p.m. followed by the service at 2 p.m.
