PEARL BURROUGHS CLARK

Pearl Burroughs Clark was born on Thursday, June 14, 1934, in Sumter, South Carolina, and was the daughter of Joe and Susie Mae Burroughs. She was one of 10 children. After almost 90 amazing years of life, she died on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Prisma Health Tuomey in Sumter.
Pearl was from very humble beginnings but would become one of the best cosmetologists in America, if not the world. She was a wife, a mother, cosmetic artist, friend, vocalist, counselor and devout Christian. She was also a world traveler, fashion influencer, excellent cook and gardener. You name it, Pearl could do it. She was extremely intelligent and had an incredible work ethic. These characteristics and her kind and engaging personality would shape her life.
She was primarily raised in Sumter but was a graduate of Washington Irving High School in New York, New York, and on March 20, 1951, she was married to SSG USAF (Retired) Clifton Clark. Pearl and Clifton would enjoy 57 years of marital bliss. Three children were born of the marriage, Persephone (Nathaniel), Patricia and John (Sharon). Pearl and Clifton were the proud grandparents of four grandchildren, Patrice, Ashley, Andrea and John, II (a/k/a Jay). Pearl is survived by her son, attorney John Clark (Sharon) and her grandchildren.
Pearl traveled the world as a military wife as the young Clark family grew. While traveling abroad, she challenged herself to become functional in several foreign languages and engage in the foreign culture.
With Pearl, family was always first, and her friends and colleagues were a close second. She doted on her kids, especially her son, John, and provided for their every need. She always maintained her household well, and her husband and children loved her cooking. She was well known for her delicious Sunday dinners after church, and at Thanksgiving and Christmas time, she always prepared big family meals where everything was homemade, even down to her delicious sweet potato and coconut pies. Her nut-cake was also very good and her peach cobbler was the best. It also was not uncommon for friends and neighbors to come to her in their times of need, and she rarely turned them away. She was always willing to share what she had to help someone else be it a free hairdo, food and clothing or financial assistance. Some people would say that she was generous to a fault.
Pearl graduated from Garner’s School of Beauty Culture in Sumter on June 1, 1966. After graduation, she started her cosmetology career, and once she got started, she never looked back as the sky was her only limit. She would eventually operate her own salons under the names of Dior Beauty Salon and Pearl’s Kwik Kurls. She was a pioneer, trailblazer and inspiration in the business for all women.
Pearl practiced cosmetology in Sumter for over 50 years. She was well known for her creativity as an artist, her incredible skill, and she was always on the cutting edge of cosmetology growth and advancement. Pearl was also known for having the latest fashion and styles. She was an extremely hard worker and would work from early in the morning to midnight to take care of her clients. It was common on the weeks of Easter and Christmas, and before weddings and other special events, for people to line the walls of her salon waiting for her to make them beautiful for their special occasion.
Pearl was a member of too many organizations to name all of them individually. She was a lifelong, devoted member of Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church where she served in various capacities over the years. She was a long-time member and president of the Sumter Beautician’s Association and the South Carolina State Cosmetology Association (SCSCA). While president of SCSCA, she led the organization in the construction of its home offices at the Margaret H. Miller Center on Fontaine Road in Columbia. She was also an officer in the National Beauty Culturists’ League Inc. and Theta Nu Sigma National Sorority and was a member of the National Council of Negro Women and the NAACP.
Pearl traveled to, coordinated and participated in cosmetic art events all over the United States, the Bahamas, Germany and Italy. She was involved in numerous fashion shows, hair styling events and competitions. If you ever visited her salon or her home, you would have seen her vast array of trophies, plaques and awards.
She earned a Doctorate in Cosmetic Arts from the NBCL Institute and served as an instructor as well as a consultant to hair care manufacturing companies. She was also consulted as an expert witness in cosmetic arts. When she rose to the top of her career, she willingly tried to help others start or advance their careers. Over the years she mentored many people in the business.
There is so much more that could be said about Pearl. Suffice it to say that she was truly an amazing person. She made incredible contributions to her family, community, country and the world, and her memory will be cherished for years to come.
Express your condolences at Jordan Funeral Home, Inc., 108 Lee St., Darlington, SC 29532 or www.jordanfuneralhomeinc.com.