Obituary of Beulah V. Clark

Beulah V. Knox Clark, age 96 of Toms River, passed away Sunday, April 24, 2016. Beulah was a teacher at the Hooper Avenue Elementary School, retiring in 1983. She entered the first grade in 1925 as the new elementary school in downtown Toms River first opened. It amused her to outlive this brick building as well as the original Toms River High School. Her dream of being a teacher was realized after graduating from Trenton State Teachers College in 1941 and earning her MA from Columbia University. Beulah was born, raised and lived in the family home in Toms River. She marveled at all the inventions which eased and changed her way of life. Writing letters remained a favorite pastime. Listening to the big band sounds, reading, baking, biking and gardening gave her pleasure. Younger friends enjoyed her stories from the past; all contact with former students 'made her day'. Beulah was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Anna (Clayton) Knox, her husband James E. Clark, her brother and sister-in-law, Merill and Marjorie Knox, and daughter Linda Merel Clark-Homer. Surviving are two sons, Wayne Clark, his wife Lisa and her children Ashley and Connor Wilson of Forked River and James E. Clark, Jr. and his wife Susan of Dallas, TX; her grandson Tristan Lee Homer of Toms River and US Navy; Debra and Charles Parks of Manchester, NJ; and many dear friends, nieces, nephews, cousins and those who lovingly called her Grandma Clark. Friends are invited to celebrate Beulah's life with her family at Kedz Funeral Home, 1123 Hooper Ave., Toms River on Saturday from 3:00 to 5:00 pm with a service being offered at 4:30 pm. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Van Dyke Hospice, 99 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755, Meals on Wheels, www.csimow.org, or a charity of your choice .