Denise Hazel (Sumpton) Clark

Denise passed away peacefully in her home on April 3, 2025, after an enduring and graceful battle with ALS. Denise was an exceptionally kind, generous, and positive mother and friend to all who knew her or came into contact with her. She knew no strangers. Denise Hazel Sumpton Clark was born in Nottingham, England where she and her two older sisters attended Cottesmore girls’ school in Nottingham. She immigrated with her family from the United Kingdom in the early 1960’s via the Queen Mary passing the Statue of Liberty on their way to Trenton, New Jersey where they lived for many years. Denise met the love of her life, Edward Leslie Clark, while he served as a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army while stationed at Fort Dix in New Jersey. In the late 1970's Denise participated in various school activities at Woodmead Elementary School volunteering as a school nurse, providing routine room mother duties, substitute teaching and various other volunteer efforts. Denise spent much of the 1980's, 1990's and early 2000's making great friends while working in customer service at Parisian's in Decatur, Alabama.  Hobbies include her flowerpots, feeding her neighborhood birds and squirrels, and taking wonderful care of her beloved pets - Stinky, Lobo, Sara, Polky, Foster, and her fur grandchild, Zoey. Denise's biggest passion besides caring for her pets was spending time with friends, neighbors and family, even becoming an Alabama Football fan in the process. My mother's friendships established at Parisian’s Department Store were life enduring. A very special thank you to Liz Carter, Dea Anna Short, Kathy Houston, and others who have maintained everlasting friendships from their working days at Parisian’s. My mother and father truly loved their Dunbarton subdivision neighbors - the James Family, the Clark Family, the Radke Family, the Kicker Family, the late Larry McMurry, and E.J.  A very special thank you to Kathlee Radke and Tammy Clark for their extraordinary kindness and out-pouring of love toward my mother all the way until the end of her battle with ALS. A special thanks to Denise's many caregivers and the medical care providers who helped her endure her tenure with ALS, including her daughter-in-law, Judy Clark and Judy’s sister, Beverly Jackson. Hospice of North Alabama is a wonderful organization who effectively allowed my mother to enjoy the last eight months of her life in her long-time residence being cared for by family with excellent medical support thus allowing her to control her end-of-life destiny while comfortable and surrounded by family and friends, along with great assistance from Home Instead.

Denise is survived by her only child, Nicholas Clark and his wife, Judy P. Clark. Denise is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, Iyvonne Schwarzbauer and her husband Arno, Michele Caisse and her husband Scott, Chris Watrous and his wife Robin, David Watrous and his wife Alexa, Mark Watrous, Sandi Heaton Lomeli, Robert Heaton and his wife Celina, and brother-in-law, James H. Heaton.

Denise was predeceased by her loving husband, Edward L. Clark, who left her so untimely and at such a young age on January 1, 2007. Denise was also predeceased by her father, Gerard T. Sumpton, her mother, Olive H. Sumpton, her oldest sister, Cherry E. Watrous, her middle sister, Deidre S. Heaton, her brother-in-law, Robert F. Clark, and her sister-in-law, Edith Clark.

A Graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Midway Memorial Gardens with close friends, family, neighbors and caregivers with officiating by Deacon Rick Chenault of Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church in memory of her late husband, Edward, and in honor of her son, Nicholas.  

Well-wishers are welcomed to give to The ALS Association and/or Annunciation of the Lord Catholic church in Decatur.

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