Josephine Lee Paternostro Clark

Josephine "Josie" Lee Paternostro Clark, 91, went to be with the Lord on Friday, December 9, 2011. She was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana on January 4, 1920 to the late William Lee and Rita Perello Paternostro. Josie was a graduate of St. Charles Academy and Louisiana State University. She worked for the Welfare Office and several local attorneys. She also worked for many years with her parents who owned the Lyric, Delta and Palace Theaters in Lake Charles.

Josie was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Cathedral Church and a founding member of Sister Monica's Study Club. She and her fellow graduates of St. Charles Academy held weekly Bible studies for over sixty years.

Josie was a devoted wife and mother. Her greatest joy was her family. She was married to the late John Clinton Clark of Great Falls, Montana. She is survived by their four children: Karen C. Herpin and husband, Luther, of Kaplan, Louisiana; William K. "Buz" Clark and wife, Kathy, of Carlyss, Louisiana; Janet C. Williams and husband, Roland, of Houston, Texas; and Sheryl Clark Lawrence of Washington, Louisiana.

In addition, Josie is survived by thirteen grandchildren: Jason Herpin (Lori) of Kaplan, La.; Brant Herpin (Mindy) of Kaplan, La.; Kelly Clark (Tula) of Katy, Texas; Chris Clark (Tracy) of Sulphur, La.; Kerry Picou (Trey) of Grand Chenier, La.; Leigh Anne Clark of Sulphur, La.; Eric Clark (Tara) of Sulphur, La.; Matt Williams (Sarah) of Austin, Texas; Clint Williams of Houston, Texas; Emma Tormey (Dan) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Eleanor Lawrence of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Rita Cueva (Brian) of Peru; and Joanna Galyen (Nathan) of Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

She is also survived by seventeen great-grandchildren Jade and Alex Herpin, Taylor Lemaire, Lance and Laine Herpin, Cole and Katy Clark, Lauren Clark, Henry and Hyat Picou, Macie and Ridge Marcantel, Canon Clark, Ava, Anna, Caleb and James Tormey; and one great-great grandchild, Parker Hebert. She is also survived by her sister, Rose Calongne, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and her four children and grandchildren.

Friends will be received at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake St., Lake Charles, LA on Sunday, December 11 from 5 9 p.m. with a Rosary at 6 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 12 at Immaculate Conception Cathedral Church. Burial will follow in Graceland/Orange Grove Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.

The family wishes to thank Kaplan Healthcare in Kaplan, Louisiana and Hospice Compassus, Lafayette, Louisiana for their loving and nurturing care. Memorial donations can be made to Immaculate Conception Cathedral Church, P. Box 1029, Lake Charles, LA 70602.