James Thomas Clark (circa 1836-1910) and Mahala W. (Reynolds) Clark (circa 1839-1915) were married in 1863 and had eleven children. James was documented as a house painter on the 1870 and 1880 Federal Census, but in 1900, he was identified as a sawdust peddler. Mahala was a homemaker. The couple’s headstone is a beautiful tribute to life and family. One side simply identifies James and Mahala. The opposite side is ornate. It bares columns and capitals, signifying strength and a complete life. The capitals support a frieze of Calla Lilies. The lilies are bound by a ribbon, acknowledging James and Mahala’s marriage of over 50 years. Beneath the Calla Lilies, large lettering tells us “FATHER AND MOTHER” are “AT REST.” The words “AT REST” are intended to comfort the living who come to visit the dead.
