Joan Williamson Clark, of Colfax, North Carolina, passed away in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on June 12, 2017.
Born Betty Joan Wiant on May 13, 1931 in Laramie, Wyoming, her parents were Mary Powell Wiant and Dr. James Stewart Wiant. A 1949 graduate of Westfield High School in Westfield, New Jersey, Joan matriculated to Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. She completed her education at Cornell School of Nursing in New York, New York, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, R.N. Joan then worked as a visiting nurse, serving diverse communities in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn. At Susquehanna, she met Daniel Wade Williamson of Holsopple, Pennsylvania.
Daniel and Joan married on June 4, 1955, and they resided in Lawrenceville, New Jersey beginning in 1959. Their years in Lawrenceville raising three children included more than a decade on Manning Lane, a small family community with more than 25 children that grew up together. This green haven nurtured play and friendships among parents and children, with Joan an active contributor to the block parties, pool gatherings, and holiday festivities. She especially loved summers with her family at Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Joan and her family attended the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville. She actively supported Daniel in his service on the Town Council of Lawrence Township starting in 1966 and his term as Mayor in 1969.
After her children were of school age, Joan resumed her nursing career. A specialist in home health services, she worked for Hunterdon Medical Center and Helene Fuld Medical Center as well as volunteer positions at Princeton Medical Center. Daniel passed away in 1985. Joan remarried on Valentine’s Day, 1988 to Herbert H. Clark of Lawrenceville, New Jersey. They were married with all six of their children and Joan’s first grandchild in attendance at the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville. Joan lived a fulfilled life in retirement, first in New Bern and later Colfax, North Carolina. She enjoyed deep friendships drawn from both her and Herb’s orbits, her children and seven grandchildren and her cocker spaniel, Ginger, along with games of bridge, walks outside, and conversations with all and many.
She is survived by her husband, Herbert H. Clark of Colfax, North Carolina, her brother Dr. James Robinson Wiant (Gertrude) of St. Louis, Missouri, her son Kenneth James Williamson of Haverford, Pennsylvania, her daughter Marcia Anne Williamson Abey (William) of Ewing, New Jersey, her son Bruce Alan Williamson (Paula) of Atlanta, Georgia, her grandchildren Andrew, Allison, Daniel, Finn, Mia, Charles and Rex, her stepson David Clark (Deborah) and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at River Landing at Sandy Ridge in Colfax, North Carolina on July 15, 2017 at 11 am. All are invited. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to Presbyterian Homes, River Landing at Sandy Ridge, Residents’ Assistance Fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.jcgreenandsons.com.
