Virginia L. "Ginny" Clark

Virginia Lee “Ginny” Clark

Virginia Lee “Ginny” Clark crossed over unexpectedly surrounded by her family on Monday, March 18, 2024 at Bronson Battle Creek.

Ginny was born in Battle Creek on June 28, 1935 as the middle child of Donald Alva and Ella Burrill (Jinkins) Zinn. She graduated from the Battle Creek Public Schools in 1953 after attending Fremont Elementary, W. K. Kellogg Junior High and Battle Creek Central High School. Ginny participated in many activities in high school including the National Honor Society, Editor of the School Newspaper The Central Key, she played Miss Brooks in the Junior class play “Our Miss Brooks”, and the Student Council.

Ginny attended the University of Michigan for 3 years and was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority.  She transferred to Michigan State University and earned her BA degree in Elementary Education in 1957. She was a Member of the National Scholastic Honor Society Phi Kappa Phi.

She married Charles Lawrence "Larry" Clark at the First Congregational Church on November 24, 1956. They raised their three sons, Steven Lawrence Clark, Douglas Arden Clark, Jeffrey Allen Clark in Battle Creek.

For three summers during college, she served as a Tour Guide at Kellogg’s. She worked at the Scholarship Office at Michigan State University while Larry finished college. Upon graduation they moved back to Battle Creek where she worked as a Kindergarten teacher in the Battle Creek Public School District at McKinley and Post Schools. After raising their sons, she worked at the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce/Calhoun County Visitor and Convention Bureau as the Travel and Tourism Director. She became a Certified Tour Professional (CTP) with the National Tour Association, a member of the American Bus Association and Ontario Motorcoach Association. Ginny conducted tours of Battle Creek and Calhoun County for motorcoach groups and other groups visiting the area. She continued conducting these historical tours for 15 years after retirement. Prior to retiring in 2000 she became Acting Director of the Visitor and Convention Bureau. She hosted groups for the Kellogg Foundation and conducted tours of the W.K. Kellogg House. 

Ginny was involved with the Junior League of Battle Creek serving as a Life Member and Past President, was on the Volunteer Bureau Board of Directors and was a Past President, Family and Children’s Service Board of Directors and conducted tours at the Kimball House Museum. She was a lifetime member of the First Congregational Church, served on the Board of Christian Education and acted as an adult advisor to the Senior High Youth Group.

She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, winters in Florida, games of all kinds especially Bridge and her Bridge friends, afternoon naps, and Lux Café lunches. In her younger years she played tennis at the Minges Creek Racquet Club. 

Ginny was preceded in death by her sister Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Zinn Thompson.

She is survived by her brother Donald (Margret) Zinn, husband Charles Lawrence “Larry” Clark, sons Steve (Jean) Clark, Doug (Nancy) Clark, Jeff (Danielle) Clark; grandchildren Jennifer (Matt) Johnson, Kelly (Chad) Green, Stephanie (Jason) McGraw, Trevor (Megan Marion) Clark, Justin Clark, and Megan Clark; great grandchildren, Oliver McGraw, Vivian Green, and Elliot Johnson. 

There will be a Celebration of Ginny’s Life on Friday, April 26th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Battle Creek Country Club. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the American Heart Association or the favorite charity of your choice.   Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, Battle Creek.  Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Ginny may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.