Patricia Sarah Clark

On July 4, 2026, while the world was preparing a day of celebration for America being 250 years old, our sister Patricia Sarah Clark was in preparation a for a celebration of her own, as she transitioned from time to eternity. Known to some as Pat, Patricia, or to most of us Trisha, she was one of the smartest women you could know. Trisha knew what she wanted and did it, without fanfare. Born as Patricia Ann Clark [later changing her middle name to Sarah], Trisha was raised on the West side of Chicago, IL, known as “Little Italy.” Trisha was the youngest of three, born to William Clark, Sr and Luvenia Battle Clark (both deceased). Her mother left this earth when Trisha 18 years old, leaving her in the hands of her loving Aunt Ernestine Davis (deceased), and her older brothers Michael Clark (deceased) and William Clark, Jr. (Nadine) from Chicago. In her youth, Trisha attended the First Bethel Missionary Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Rev. M. Stephens. Growing up, she received her education at Jacob A. Riis Elementary School. Her first two years of High School were at Dunbar Vocational School. She graduated in 1981 from Whitney Young High School in Chicago. While in High School Trisha played flute and was part of the All-City band, playing for numerous engagements in the city. Upon High School Graduation, Trisha made her way to Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana, where she majored in Marketing. Her musical skills as a “Fine Foxy Flute” led her to serve four years in the great World Famed Tiger Marching Band, under the direction of Professor Conrad Hutchinson, Jr. Trisha was featured in the 1982 Grambling State University International Coca Cola Commercial. You can see her spinning with her long ponytails dancing in the air after making her moves as she was doing the traditional “skeeter-rabbit” that GSU was known for. She graduated from Dear Ole Grambling May 19,, 1985. She also received her Master’s Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania majoring in Library and Information Science, graduating in 1998. But, it was at Grambling State University that her lifelong relationships with her band brothers and sisters began. She was also a charter member of Sigma Alpha Iota Professional Music Sorority, Eta Zeta Chapter in 1982. 45 years later, the GSU Band camaraderie was still going strong till the day she took her last breath. Before leaving this earth, she requested that we celebrate her life in Grambling. And it was fitting that we were able to do so as we also celebrate the 100th year of the GSU Band that she loved so much. Along with her brother William and his wife Nadine and family, Trisha will always be loved by Dr. Edwin B. “Cricket” Thomas, Grambling, LA, whom he dubbed Patricia and four others as his “Charlie’s Angels” who are also mourning Trisha’s passing. The Grambling Band “Charlie’s Angels” Sisters were Erica Hill (deceased), Donna Mathews, Chicago, IL, Brenda Hunter-Charles, also known to Trisha as “Bren-Bren”, Lauderhill, FL, and EttaWeen “Lisa” Wise-Eady, Sunrise, FL whom Trisha affectionately called “Ween-Bean.” Other special Gram Fam in her life were Valvasti Williams, Jr., Bryant Quinney, and Michael Simpkins to name a few. Trisha had nieces and nephews that she often spoke about when they were younger. And a very special friend, Anthony Garner, Chicago, IL. The Gram Fam and Chicago Connection would not allow every name to be mentioned in this writing. But please know her loving bond for us all is unbreakable. To those that took time to respect Trisha’s privacy at the time of her passing, then extending so much love to her family and all of us who suffered this loss, THANK YOU. Trisha is resting peacefully in Paradise with the one that gave her life.

Patricia Sarah Clark

April 10, 1963 - July 4, 2026