A portion of a state highway in her native Smith County now bears the name of an Alexandria woman who lost her life in a traffic accident two years ago.
State lawmakers recently issued a proclamation remembering the life of Sarah Marie Bullington Clark, originally from the Gordonsville area, and renamed part of State Highway 141 near her church in the Grant community the “Sarah M. Bullington Clark Memorial Highway” to honor her.
The crash that took Sarah’s life occurred on Highway 70 in Liberty the morning of Tuesday August 19, 2014 while she was on her way to work at the office of Dr. Cliff Duke D.D.S. in Smithville. She was 36 years old.
As a tribute to Sarah, friends and co-workers at Dr. Duke’s office remembered her on Wednesday, August 17 during their second annual “Smiles for Sarah Day”. “Sarah often volunteered for various charity events. She frequently traveled to other parts of the state to offer her services as a dental hygienist to the less fortunate. As a way to honor her memory, free dental cleanings, x-rays and exams were provided Wednesday to several area residents by Sarah’s friends and co-workers,” Dr. Duke told WJLE.
Sarah Marie Bullington was born on June 17, 1978 to Connie Mauzy Bullington and James Bullington and was the sister of Jonas Bullington and Erik Bullington.
She graduated from Gordonsville High School in 1996 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from East Tennessee State University and a Master’s degree in dental hygiene from the University of Tennessee-Memphis.
Sarah married Thomas Ray Clark on October 21, 2006.
In the state proclamation, Sarah is recognized for her dedication to improving the quality of life for her fellow citizens.
“After receiving her Master’s degree, Sarah established a free dental clinic for homeless persons in Lebanon, Tennessee, a project for which she was selected to represent the University of Tennessee-Memphis before a national academic assembly in Washington, D.C. and for thirteen years, Mrs. Clark worked in the office of Cliff Duke, D.D.S., who noted that “an appointment with Sarah was more about a visit with Sarah than the dental cleaning”.
The proclamation further noted Sarah’s lifetime inspiration to others and devotion to her church “As a lifelong cheerleader, Sarah cheered for sports teams from the age of six through college, and , as she moved through her life, she continued to cheer on her friends, family, and fellow citizens in their personal endeavors”.
“Sarah was a bold Christian and an active member of Lighthouse Community Church in Grant, where she served in a number of capacities and to which she drew hundreds of individuals to come and worship through her spiritual love, encouragement, and humor,” the state proclaims.
The proclamation was signed on June 17, 2016, what would have been Sarah’s 38th birthday, by Beth Harwell, Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives; State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver; and State Senator Mae Beavers.
“It is fitting that members of this legislative body (General Assembly) should honor the memory of this highly esteemed citizen of Tennessee on this special occasion,” stated the proclamation.
(TOP PHOTO: Sarah Marie Bullington Clark
(PHOTO SECOND FROM TOP: Family of Sarah Clark recently gathered at the “Sarah M. Bullington Clark Memorial Highway” sign in the Grant Community
(BOTTOM PHOTO: Sarah’s co-workers at the Office of Dr. Cliff Duke D.D.S.: Laura Hildreth (RDH), Shawnnie Davis (RDA), Dr. Duke D.D.S., Danielle Reynolds (Office Manager), Laura Mercier (RDH) Gena Cripps (RDA)
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