Trailblazing lawmaker Robert Clark will lie in repose at the Mississippi State Capitol before his funeral, according to the House of Representatives.
Rep. Clark, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 96, will lie in repose in the second-floor rotunda Sunday, March 9, with visitation open from noon to 4 p.m. According to Clark’s son, current state Rep. Bryant Clark, his father died of natural causes at home in Holmes County.
Elected by residents of Holmes County in 1967, Clark was the first Black lawmaker after the Civil Rights era. He served 36 years in the Mississippi House and was chosen by his peers in 1992 as House Speaker Pro Tempore – the second-highest position in the chamber.
“He shaped me into the man I am today, and through every challenge and triumph, he was there – offering guidance, wisdom, and yes, even a few tough critiques when I needed them the most,” Rep. Bryant Clark wrote in an announcement of his father’s passing. “He was my hero, both in public service and in life, and his impact will forever be felt by me and many others. I will miss his voice, his counsel, and his unwavering belief in doing what’s right, no matter the cost.”
Clark broke other racial barriers along the way, including becoming the first Black committee chairman when given the top post in the House Education Committee in 1977. A schoolteacher by trade, Clark worked to not only educate students in core academic areas but also worked to educate Black voters in his community on how to register to vote.
In 2004, the state of Mississippi named a downtown government building after Clark. The Robert G. Clark, Jr. State Office Building is located on Lamar Street. He was also honored at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in 2018.
Upon lying in repose at the state capitol, Clark’s body will be transported to his hometown of Lexington. Public viewing will be held Monday, March 10, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Porter & Sons Funeral Home. A celebration of life will begin Tuesday, March 11, at 10 a.m. at Saints Academy Deborah Mason Patterson Hall.