Melba Fay Clark

Melba Fay Clark, known to most as Fay, passed away on November 22, 2025, surrounded by her family. Ms. Fay was born in the Joppa area of Cullman County, Alabama, on February 8, 1945, to the late William Searcy and Vergie Gladys Cornelius Stidham.

Ms. Fay was one of those people who never met a stranger. She genuinely cared for people and her love for them was evident. Ms. Clark never said a bad word about anyone. She chose to uplift and encourage rather than speak unkindly of anyone. Fay was a sweetheart who made friends easily and you knew her love for you was sincere. Her “hey girl” brought a smile when you needed it most, and her infectious spirit could cheer up the most discouraged person. Fay made everything fun and her true joy for life will be missed.

Ms. Fay worked as a clerk for BellSouth Telecommunications for 30 years. After retiring from BellSouth, Fay worked at Warehouse Discount Groceries where many of her friendships included people much younger than herself. Her fun-loving personality made her a favorite to all her coworkers, regardless of the age difference.

Ms. Fay was dedicated to her church home as long as her health allowed her to attend. She cherished her time spent with the WMU ladies of Center Point Baptist Church and she enjoyed their many acts of service to the community.

Fay enjoyed cooking and baking. She collected cookbooks that she read more like a novel rather than a recipe book. As much as Fay enjoyed baking, traveling was her true passion vacationing with her husband and family. Ms. Fay enjoyed photography, and her family says she was the inventor of the selfie long before cellphones became available. Fay could be found carrying more than one camera at a time, and she often took pictures with both cameras at the same time. Many times, she was holding the camera where the pictures would include her in the shot.

As much as Fay enjoyed friends, church, and work relationships, nothing compared to being a wife, mother, and Memaw. Ms. Clark was married to her beloved for forty-seven years, raised two daughters, and was enjoying spoiling her brood of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She delighted in her family and her love for them was evident. The legacy Fay leaves of kindness, compassion, joy, and faith will live on through her family for generations to come.

Ms. Clark is preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings, Delton Stidham, Windell Stidham, Vergie Kicker, and Glenda Jimmerson.

Those left to cherish the memory of Fay include her husband, Mike Clark; daughters, Karen Clark Crowe (Steve), Micah Clark Kitchens (Shane); six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren with another to arrive any day; and a host of family and friends.

Friends are invited to join the Clark family on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, in the Holly Pond Funeral Home Chapel for a time of visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. followed by funeral services at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Jeffery Folds officiating. Ms. Clark will be laid to rest in Center Point Baptist Church Cemetery following services.

Holly Pond Funeral Home is honored to serve the Clark family.