William Darrell Clarke

Dr. William Darrell Clarke, of Bartlett, loving husband, father, Poppy, Pops and a friend to all, passed away on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020.

He was a minister retiree of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis and served as pastorate in various other churches including in Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Indiana.

Dr. Clarke received his bachelor’s degree at Union University, his master’s degree at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kanas City, Mo., and his doctorate at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky.

He is survived by his wife, Denise Clarke of Bartlett; daughters: Deborah Clarke of Cordova, Dawn Clarke of Bartlett and Kelly Lee (Jason) of Bartlett; sons: David Clarke (Chasity) of Martinsville, Ind., and Brad Culpepper of Deltona, Fla.; sister, Dianne Matheny (Rick) of Jackson; grandchildren: Madison Clarke, Karlie Clarke, Jackson Lee, Andrew Culpepper and Emma Kate Lee; and many nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, aunts and uncles who loved him deeply.

Darrell was preceded in death by his wife, Diane Clarke; and his parents, William and Mattie Clarke.

The funeral will be 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at Bellevue Baptist Church, 2000 Appling Road in Cordova, with the family receiving friends beginning at 11 am. Interment will follow at Memphis Memorial Garden Cemetery, 3700 North Germantown Parkway in Bartlett.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to The East Africa Project, 9160 Highway 64 Suite 112, Lakeland, TN 38002-3010, https://www.theeastafricaproject.com/donate or The Gideons International at https://www.gideons.org.

“Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die …” — "There Is A Fountain”