Obituary of Frances Faye Clark

Faye Buchanan Clark went to be with her Heavenly Father on Friday afternoon, November 4th, 2016, in Tempe, Arizona at the age of 78. She had been living there for the last three years with her second husband, Melville Clark, but was a longtime prior resident of Roanoke. Faye was born Frances Faye Tucker on November 27, 1937, in Welch, West VA, to her parents, Willard and Gaye Tucker, who later had two more daughters, Ann and June Tucker. Willard's second wife was Fonnie Lee (Hagar) with whom had had two more daughters, Twila and Trudy. The five girls grew up in McDowell County, West VA, in a small town called Coalwood. They attended the First Church of God in Welch for many years and sang as a quintet for many of the worship services with "Grandma" Tucker playing the piano. The girls loved to sing and passed down their love of music to their own families. Music and a fervent religious faith were integral parts of their lives, and they loved to share both whenever they could. After graduating from Welch High School in 1955, Faye attended cosmetology school and worked as a hair stylist in a beauty parlor on Hershberger Rd in Roanoke. She enjoyed making people look their best, especially her own family members who came to her often for one of Faye's hair cuts! While living in Roanoke, she met James H. Buchanan, started a courtship and were later married on August 15, 1959. Their first son, Robert ("Bobby"), was born in August of 1960 and their daughter, Patti, came along in September of 1962. The family moved around here and there, living in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Saltville, VA, before finally settling back down in Roanoke in 1965. They attended the First Church of God on Hildebrand Ave for many years before eventually moving to Oakland Baptist Church, their final church home. Both Faye and Jim were members of the Adult Choir for decades and loved to sing with members of their extended family any chance they had. Many times, the Tucker sisters were asked to sing for a Sunday morning service and never failed to get a loud "Amen" from the congregation! James ("Dad") worked for Roanoke Mills Outlet for a few years before changing jobs to work in the payroll group at Norfolk Southern until he retired. Faye ("Mom") worked at Ingersoll-Rand for many years but eventually worked, until her retirement, at the VA Employment Commission. She loved her job because it gave her the chance to do what she did best - help people in any walk of life and with any skill set to find the best job she could. She managed several large accounts in the Roanoke area and was always recognized for her professionalism and her constant success at finding the right people for the right job. Many of her co-workers, who were her second family, came to her retirement dinner at the Hotel Roanoke to help send her off with many happy memories and best wishes for a relaxing, well-deserved "time off". After Dad passed away in November of 2010, Mom remarried in November, 2013, to Oscar Melville Clark at Oakland Baptist, and moved to Tempe, Arizona, to live with Mel at his home. She enjoyed getting to see and experience a different part of the country as well as making new friends. But she also enjoyed the few times when she and Mel could fly back home to see family or when family could come out and spend time with her. Mom’s most precious joys in life were her family members, especially her two children, two grandsons, Isaac Martin and Gabriel Haynes, as well as her two cherished great-granddaughters, Naomi and Layla Martin. Faye was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, many uncles and aunts and her first husband, James. Surviving are her husband, Mel Clark, sisters, Ann (George) Rosch, Patsy June Tucker, Twila (Charles) Briscoe, Trudy (Norman) Andersen, son Bobby and his partner, Russ Lee, from Los Angeles, daughter Patti and her two sons, Isaac (Kate) Martin, and Gabriel Haynes. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews, and their own children, whom Mom adored. Family and friends are invited for the viewing this Friday, November 11, at Simpsons Funeral Home located at 5160 Peters Creek Rd in Roanoke, from 2-4 pm in the afternoon and from 6-8 pm in the evening. On Saturday, November 12 at 1pm, there will be a celebration of Faye's life at Oakland Baptist Church, located at 3623 Roundhill Ave, next to Williamson Rd. Interment will follow in Trinity Cemetery south of Fincastle on Rte. 220-S in Botetourt County, next to the Trinity Church near the V.F.W. building for a short graveside service. Flowers may be sent to Simpson Funeral Home or, if you wish, you can make a donation in Mom's memory to either the American Lung or American Heart Associations. The family extends many thanks and appreciation for the love and support given to us these last few days. We will miss Faye beyond words but rejoice that she is now watching over us as one of God's angels and singing her beautiful alto voice in God's heavenly choir. Until we meet again, Mom, we will love and remember you always. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home. 366-0707