Candy Clark

Candy Clark, 64, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away Friday, December 4, 2020 in Fayetteville, Ark. She was born October 8, 1956 in Fort Smith, Ark., to Josephine and Jack Clark. Candy owned C&C Services and served Washington County as a Justice of the Peace for six years and the City of Fayetteville on its Planning Commission in 2003. She graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1975. She obtained a Bachelor's in history in 1979 and a Master's in communications in 1980, both from the University of Arkansas. She coached debate at the University of Arkansas, Emporia State University, and Louisiana State University, where she worked on a PhD. In typical Candy fashion, LSU made her mad about something, so she refused to return to defend her dissertation and never obtained her PhD. She went on to run the debate and forensics program at Missouri State University, formerly Southwest Missouri State. Her leadership as debate coach created a nationally ranked team at Missouri State. She returned home to Fayetteville and was the first Executive Director of the Humane Society of the Ozarks where she created its successful fundraiser, the Dogwood Walk. Her advocacy for animals continued throughout her life, with her work to make animal cruelty a felony in Arkansas and her support for building the Washington County Animal Shelter when she was a Justice of the Peace. She went on to help establish the Animal League of Washington County and supported it generously. The list of community organizations she supported with her efforts and philanthropy was endless – the drama program at Fayetteville High School, Fayetteville Public Education Foundation, Peace at Home Family Shelter, Artist's Laboratory Theatre, Washington County Juvenile Detention Center, Washington County Outdoor Adventure Program for at-risk youth, and GLBT Hotline, to name a few. In 1998, she met Teddy Cardwell and they founded C&C Services together. Unable to legally marry at the time, they had a commitment ceremony that November. As same-sex marriage was legalized in other states, Teddy decided 2013 would be the year they would marry and they would go to Iowa. Candy said, "I am not getting married in Iowa. That's the most unromantic state I can think of." They legally wed on a trip to Ogunquit, Maine in May of that year. Just a year later, Candy performed some of the first same-sex marriages once they were legalized in Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her mother Josephine Clark, brother Jack Clark II, and numerous dogs and cats she considered family. She is survived by her wife and the love of her life Teddy Cardwell, her beloved dog and cat, Summit and Levi, her niece, Shelby Ramsey (Steve) of Las Vegas, Ne., several great-nieces and great-nephews, and too many members of her "family of choice" to list. Candy was loved by all who knew her. She was passionate, compassionate, brutally honest, and occasionally (or maybe more than occasionally) sarcastic. She was a fiercely loyal friend and mentor to many. She was a lifelong Democrat, but in elected office, earned the respect of both Republicans and Democrats alike. She was giving and selfless. She was a notoriously "big tipper." It gave her great joy to give to others. We will all miss her big laugh and her larger than life personality. A memorial service will be held in her honor at a later date when it is safe for everyone that loved her to attend. Memorial contributions may be made to the Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary at Peace at Home Family Shelter. To sign the online guest book please visit www.mooresfunerachapel.com.