Jo Anne Clark

Dr. Jo Anne Clark, age 84, died peacefully at her home in the early hours of Christmas Day, 2020. A deeply spiritual person, she is now in the arms of her beloved Jesus Christ. At one point during her illness, she announced that she was not upset, but was looking forward to “going home!” Jo, as she was called by family and friends, leaves behind to cherish her memory her younger sister Patsy Clark Kovacs of Mooresville, North Carolina; special nephews whom she loved dearly - Jason Kovacs (Becky) of Phoenix, Arizona, and Clark Kovacs (Elizabeth) of Mooresville, North Carolina; great-nephews and great-nieces whom she adored - Jackson, Rebecca, Clark Jr, and Kathryn Kovacs. She was preceded in death by her parents, James A. and Christa Ann Watkins Clark. Born August 20, 1936 in Old Hickory, TN, Jo graduated from Dupont High School in 1954. She especially enjoyed playing basketball, and served as Captain of her high school team. She said many times that Old Hickory was a perfect place to grow up; she treasured many happy memories of playing and growing up with the other kids in her neighborhood. After high school graduation, Jo Anne attended Nashville Business College for one year where she happily continued her basketball career. In 1956 she transferred to Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (TPI) where she was very active as a cheerleader, vice-president of Baptist Student Union, Eagle staff, ROTC Attendant, Tech Choir soloist, Tech Football Queen, Tech Sweetheart, summer missionary, Oracle staff, Who's Who Among Colleges and Universities, Tech Christian Organization, Intramural Council, Health and PE Club, and more! She graduated from TPI in 1960 with a B.S. in Health and Physical Education. Jo was employed by the Girl Scouts for the next 9 years with assignments in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Heidelberg, Germany. With each assignment, Jo Anne organized and operated many programs including summer camps which employed several of the young women she had known as a student at TPI. Jo returned to Tech (now Tennessee Technological University) in 1969 to pursue a master's degree. Two years later, with an M.S. in Guidance and Counseling, she was hired as Director of International Student Affairs. This brought her much joy! She was able to welcome and represent foreign students from around the world. She had many student dinners at her home to celebrate their holidays as well as American ones. She took international students on cultural trips to give them a good look at the southeast. She was their friend when they were homesick or needed help understanding our culture. From her time with the Girl Scouts in Germany, as well as with her students and their families at Tech, she continued to make friends all over the world. In the mid 1970s, Jo Anne continued her education at Nova University. She completed her Master of Public Administration in 1977, and her Doctorate of Public Administration in 1979. Jo Anne was active in professional organizations on a local, state and national level. Her exceptional leadership qualities earned her several awards during her professional career. Two recognitions were “Outstanding Young Woman of the Year in May, 1978”, by Pi Lambda Theta; in November of 1996, she received an “Internal Excellence Award” by NAFSA, Association of International Educators, Region VII. During her tenure as International Student Advisor at TTU, Jo Anne introduced the International Student Exchange Program to the Tech campus. This organization encouraged American students to consider and pursue academic studies abroad. A natural leader, she was invited to travel internationally as an ISEP representative to share the benefits of ISEP to other universities in the USA as well as abroad. She established Tech's successful Host Family Program, now called International Friends. This has encouraged a welcoming relationship between community families and Tech's international students - achieving a goal Dr. Clark sought with enthusiasm and the fullhearted dedication for which she was known. Upon her retirement, Jo Anne continued to show an interest in her community. She became a Master Gardener, attended the local Police Academy, performed with Mastersingers, helped with Animal Rescue programs, sang with First United Methodist Church Choir, worked for God's Grace Food Pantry, provided elderly friends transportation to doctor appointments, cooked and took meals to those who were ill, etc. She continued to travel nationally and internationally, visiting families and students who had attended TTU. Many families enjoyed the opportunity to return the hospitality Jo Anne had shown their children while they attended Tennessee Tech! A dedicated bird-watcher, Jo loved watching the birds that came to the many feeders in her yard. Any time spent outside in her garden was time well spent to her. Most of her plants were gifts given to her from her many friends and family members. Jo Anne touched many lives around the world with her loving, kind, and gentle manner and her generous spirit. While she is dearly missed by all who knew and loved her, her beautiful voice is now being lifted straight to the throne of God. Jo Anne's family has requested that gifts in her memory be made to God's Grace Food Pantry, Cookeville First United Methodist Church, 165 E. Broad St. Cookeville, TN 38501, or to a ministry or charity of your choice. Due to current COVID guidelines, a memorial service will not be held at this time. Jo's family and friends will honor her request and scatter her ashes on the Outer Banks of North Carolina! Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share memories and condolences at www.hhhfunerals.com.