Y.Y. Clark, as she is known professionally, was a woman who was truly on the leading edge of the struggle encountered by women who had decided to work as a peer and professional in the areas of science and engineering. Furthermore, as an African American in the time of racial segregation in the United States, she also had to face and overcome the struggles of prejudice and bigotry. Understanding the challenges that she would face by entering a field that was dominated by men, "Y.Y." did so not with the intent to break down barriers or to be a trailblazer. She simply wanted to be the best Mechanical Engineer that she could be. It was through the fervent desire to obtain that humble and simple goal that Mrs. Clark became a "Quiet Pioneer".
Mrs. Yvonne Y. Clark, P.E., was a pioneer for African-American and women engineers. A Woman of Firsts, she leaves behind a rich legacy.
Georgianna Yvonne Young was born on April 13, 1929 to Dr. Coleman Milton Young, Jr. a General Practioner and Surgeon and Hortense Houston Young a Library Scientist and Journalist. Y.Y. was unafraid to walk the road less traveled. As a woman coming of age during World War II, Yvonne's sense of patriotism would lead her to make bold choices not only as an African American but also as a woman. It was her desire to ferry U.S. bombers to Europe during the war that made her decide on a path that lead to her career in Mechanical Engineering. When Y.Y. graduated from Howard University, she was the only woman in the class of 300 Engineering students. However, because of the sexism of the day, Yvonne was not allowed to march with the rest of her class and received her Bachelor of Science diploma in the office of the University President. Historically, Yvonne was the first woman to graduate with a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University in 1951.
Though Yvonne's career was beset with obstacles, her unwavering guiding philosophy was "They never told me I couldn't do it." With this mindset Y.Y. went on to the following achievements among many others:
First African- American Woman hired at Frankford Arsenal Gage Lab. - First African-American Woman hired at R.C.A. - First Mrican-American member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). - First woman engineer ever hired as an Instructor at Tennessee State University (TSU) in the Mechanical Engineering Department. - Worked as an Aerospace Engineer (Flight-General) at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center investigating the Saturn 5 Rocket Booster engines hot spot issues. - First woman appointed as Department Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department at TSU - Worked at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, TX on the moon rock samples container for transporting moon rocks back to Earth. - First woman to be hired as an engineer at the Ford Motor Company - First African-American Woman to receive a Master's Degree in Engineering Management from Vanderbilt University - First Woman Presented "The Long Rifle Award" by the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America for Outstanding Service to Boyhood. - Received award given by the TSU student Chapter of ASME as the "Mechanism of the Year" for her unyielding support to her students. - The Y. Y. Clark Annual Scholarship was established at Tennessee State University for a third year female Mechanical Engineering student.
During one of her visits to Nashville she met William Freeman Clark,Jr. who was a biochemistry student at Fisk University. "Bill" Clark as he was known would marry Yvonne. Mrs. Clark married William "Bill" Freeman Clark Jr., on December 21, 1955, a biochemistry teacher at Meharry Medical College. They were a couple for 39 years until his death. Bill preceded her in death on February 27th, 1994.
Y.Y.'s civic interests included memberships in the Music City Chamber of Commerce, Hendersonville Area Chapter of The Links, Inc., and the Nashville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also volunteered at the Eighteenth Avenue Family Enrichment (Community Center where she was a Board Member and Treasurer. She received special recognition from the Louise Holiday and Virginia Hadley Women's Fellowship for Outstanding Service to Howard Congregational UCC as Consultant Engineer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Church Treasurer.
She was a Fellow in SWE and a Life Member of SWE and ASME. At TSU, she chartered Student Chapters for the following Professional Organizations: ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), SWE (Society of Women Engineers), ASH RAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), and Pi Tau Sigma - National Mechanical Honorary Society- Alpha Delta Chapter. She is a TSU link for the "Order of the Engineer". Y.Y. was honored in 2016 as one of the Co-Grand Marshals and Honorees during the Tennessee State University Homecoming Festivities.
Among Yvonne's God given talents was her ability to devote considerable intellect and attention to a task. For Y.Y., her life's focus was never about recognition or accolades. Her focus was always about the task at hand. If it was an engineering issue, it had her attention. If it was a student, they knew that they had her attention. If it were any colleague, friend, family or stranger, they knew that they had her attention. This is how she made everyone feel important, was by giving them her considerable attention.
Y.Y. was blessed with the opportunity to celebrate the observance of her 90th birthday with family and friends. It wasn't actually her official birthday, but it was celebrated as if it were. Yvonne got to hear the words of thankful appreciation from those to whom she had given her attention.
Y.Y. is survived by her brother Dr. C. Milton Young, III, M.D. and his wife Waltraud of Louisville, Kentucky. Nephews C. Milton Young IV and his wife Karen, Dr. Llyod Young, D.D.S., Christopher Howell Young. Her children Milton Hebert Clark, Sr. and daughter Carol Yvonne Lawson and son-in-law Eric Lawson, and grandchildren Paris Nicole Lawson and Milton Hebert Clark,Jr.
There were none like Y.Y. and we will miss her.
In lieu of flowers please send donation to the YY Clark Engineering Student Scholarship.
Send to:
Darlene G Harris-Vasser
Assistant Director of donor relations.
TSU Foundation
3500 John A Merritt blvd. BoX 9542, Nashville, Tn. 37209
Phone 615-963-5481
TSU website: tn.state.edu/foundation
Professor Y.Y. Clark was the first woman to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Howard University (HU), the first woman to serve as a faculty member in the College of Engineering and Technology at Tennessee State University (TSU), and the first woman to earn a Master's Degree in Engineering Management from Vanderbilt University.
Affectionately called "TSU's First Lady of Engineering", Clark taught Mechanical Engineering for 55 years in the College of Engineering and Technology at Tennessee State University, where she also served as Mechanical Engineering Department Head twice. Additionally, she acted as the Freshman Advisor for all incoming students to the College of Engineering.
Please keep the family of Mrs. Yvonne Young "Y.Y." Clark in your thoughts and prayers.
Service Arrangements
Viewing
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
New Generation Funeral Home
2930 Murfreesboro Pike
Antioch, TN
Visitation with the Family
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
Links Ceremony
5:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
Delta Ceremony
5:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
Celebration of Life
6:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
The Service of Committal & Interment
12:00 p.m. EST
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Cave Hill Cemetery
Louisville, KY
New Generation Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.
Mrs. Yvonne Y. Clark, P.E., was a pioneer for African-American and women engineers. A Woman of Firsts, she leaves behind a rich legacy.
Georgianna Yvonne Young was born on April 13, 1929 to Dr. Coleman Milton Young, Jr. a General Practioner and Surgeon and Hortense Houston Young a Library Scientist and Journalist. Y.Y. was unafraid to walk the road less traveled. As a woman coming of age during World War II, Yvonne's sense of patriotism would lead her to make bold choices not only as an African American but also as a woman. It was her desire to ferry U.S. bombers to Europe during the war that made her decide on a path that lead to her career in Mechanical Engineering. When Y.Y. graduated from Howard University, she was the only woman in the class of 300 Engineering students. However, because of the sexism of the day, Yvonne was not allowed to march with the rest of her class and received her Bachelor of Science diploma in the office of the University President. Historically, Yvonne was the first woman to graduate with a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University in 1951.
Though Yvonne's career was beset with obstacles, her unwavering guiding philosophy was "They never told me I couldn't do it." With this mindset Y.Y. went on to the following achievements among many others:
First African- American Woman hired at Frankford Arsenal Gage Lab. - First African-American Woman hired at R.C.A. - First Mrican-American member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). - First woman engineer ever hired as an Instructor at Tennessee State University (TSU) in the Mechanical Engineering Department. - Worked as an Aerospace Engineer (Flight-General) at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center investigating the Saturn 5 Rocket Booster engines hot spot issues. - First woman appointed as Department Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department at TSU - Worked at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, TX on the moon rock samples container for transporting moon rocks back to Earth. - First woman to be hired as an engineer at the Ford Motor Company - First African-American Woman to receive a Master's Degree in Engineering Management from Vanderbilt University - First Woman Presented "The Long Rifle Award" by the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America for Outstanding Service to Boyhood. - Received award given by the TSU student Chapter of ASME as the "Mechanism of the Year" for her unyielding support to her students. - The Y. Y. Clark Annual Scholarship was established at Tennessee State University for a third year female Mechanical Engineering student.
During one of her visits to Nashville she met William Freeman Clark,Jr. who was a biochemistry student at Fisk University. "Bill" Clark as he was known would marry Yvonne. Mrs. Clark married William "Bill" Freeman Clark Jr., on December 21, 1955, a biochemistry teacher at Meharry Medical College. They were a couple for 39 years until his death. Bill preceded her in death on February 27th, 1994.
Y.Y.'s civic interests included memberships in the Music City Chamber of Commerce, Hendersonville Area Chapter of The Links, Inc., and the Nashville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also volunteered at the Eighteenth Avenue Family Enrichment (Community Center where she was a Board Member and Treasurer. She received special recognition from the Louise Holiday and Virginia Hadley Women's Fellowship for Outstanding Service to Howard Congregational UCC as Consultant Engineer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Church Treasurer.
She was a Fellow in SWE and a Life Member of SWE and ASME. At TSU, she chartered Student Chapters for the following Professional Organizations: ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), SWE (Society of Women Engineers), ASH RAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), and Pi Tau Sigma - National Mechanical Honorary Society- Alpha Delta Chapter. She is a TSU link for the "Order of the Engineer". Y.Y. was honored in 2016 as one of the Co-Grand Marshals and Honorees during the Tennessee State University Homecoming Festivities.
Among Yvonne's God given talents was her ability to devote considerable intellect and attention to a task. For Y.Y., her life's focus was never about recognition or accolades. Her focus was always about the task at hand. If it was an engineering issue, it had her attention. If it was a student, they knew that they had her attention. If it were any colleague, friend, family or stranger, they knew that they had her attention. This is how she made everyone feel important, was by giving them her considerable attention.
Y.Y. was blessed with the opportunity to celebrate the observance of her 90th birthday with family and friends. It wasn't actually her official birthday, but it was celebrated as if it were. Yvonne got to hear the words of thankful appreciation from those to whom she had given her attention.
Y.Y. is survived by her brother Dr. C. Milton Young, III, M.D. and his wife Waltraud of Louisville, Kentucky. Nephews C. Milton Young IV and his wife Karen, Dr. Llyod Young, D.D.S., Christopher Howell Young. Her children Milton Hebert Clark, Sr. and daughter Carol Yvonne Lawson and son-in-law Eric Lawson, and grandchildren Paris Nicole Lawson and Milton Hebert Clark,Jr.
There were none like Y.Y. and we will miss her.
In lieu of flowers please send donation to the YY Clark Engineering Student Scholarship.
Send to:
Darlene G Harris-Vasser
Assistant Director of donor relations.
TSU Foundation
3500 John A Merritt blvd. BoX 9542, Nashville, Tn. 37209
Phone 615-963-5481
TSU website: tn.state.edu/foundation
Professor Y.Y. Clark was the first woman to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Howard University (HU), the first woman to serve as a faculty member in the College of Engineering and Technology at Tennessee State University (TSU), and the first woman to earn a Master's Degree in Engineering Management from Vanderbilt University.
Affectionately called "TSU's First Lady of Engineering", Clark taught Mechanical Engineering for 55 years in the College of Engineering and Technology at Tennessee State University, where she also served as Mechanical Engineering Department Head twice. Additionally, she acted as the Freshman Advisor for all incoming students to the College of Engineering.
Please keep the family of Mrs. Yvonne Young "Y.Y." Clark in your thoughts and prayers.
Service Arrangements
Viewing
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
New Generation Funeral Home
2930 Murfreesboro Pike
Antioch, TN
Visitation with the Family
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
Links Ceremony
5:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
Delta Ceremony
5:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
Celebration of Life
6:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
The Service of Committal & Interment
12:00 p.m. EST
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Cave Hill Cemetery
Louisville, KY
New Generation Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.
Y.Y. Clark, as she is known professionally, was a woman who was truly on the leading edge of the struggle encountered by women who had decided to work as a peer and professional in the areas of science and engineering. Furthermore, as an African American in the time of racial segregation in the United States, she also had to face and overcome the struggles of prejudice and bigotry. Understanding the challenges that she would face by entering a field that was dominated by men, "Y.Y." did so not with the intent to break down barriers or to be a trailblazer. She simply wanted to be the best Mechanical Engineer that she could be. It was through the fervent desire to obtain that humble and simple goal that Mrs. Clark became a "Quiet Pioneer".
Mrs. Yvonne Y. Clark, P.E., was a pioneer for African-American and women engineers. A Woman of Firsts, she leaves behind a rich legacy.
Georgianna Yvonne Young was born on April 13, 1929 to Dr. Coleman Milton Young, Jr. a General Practioner and Surgeon and Hortense Houston Young a Library Scientist and Journalist. Y.Y. was unafraid to walk the road less traveled. As a woman coming of age during World War II, Yvonne's sense of patriotism would lead her to make bold choices not only as an African American but also as a woman. It was her desire to ferry U.S. bombers to Europe during the war that made her decide on a path that lead to her career in Mechanical Engineering. When Y.Y. graduated from Howard University, she was the only woman in the class of 300 Engineering students. However, because of the sexism of the day, Yvonne was not allowed to march with the rest of her class and received her Bachelor of Science diploma in the office of the University President. Historically, Yvonne was the first woman to graduate with a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University in 1951.
Though Yvonne's career was beset with obstacles, her unwavering guiding philosophy was "They never told me I couldn't do it." With this mindset Y.Y. went on to the following achievements among many others:
First African- American Woman hired at Frankford Arsenal Gage Lab. - First African-American Woman hired at R.C.A. - First Mrican-American member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). - First woman engineer ever hired as an Instructor at Tennessee State University (TSU) in the Mechanical Engineering Department. - Worked as an Aerospace Engineer (Flight-General) at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center investigating the Saturn 5 Rocket Booster engines hot spot issues. - First woman appointed as Department Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department at TSU - Worked at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, TX on the moon rock samples container for transporting moon rocks back to Earth. - First woman to be hired as an engineer at the Ford Motor Company - First African-American Woman to receive a Master's Degree in Engineering Management from Vanderbilt University - First Woman Presented "The Long Rifle Award" by the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America for Outstanding Service to Boyhood. - Received award given by the TSU student Chapter of ASME as the "Mechanism of the Year" for her unyielding support to her students. - The Y. Y. Clark Annual Scholarship was established at Tennessee State University for a third year female Mechanical Engineering student.
During one of her visits to Nashville she met William Freeman Clark,Jr. who was a biochemistry student at Fisk University. "Bill" Clark as he was known would marry Yvonne. Mrs. Clark married William "Bill" Freeman Clark Jr., on December 21, 1955, a biochemistry teacher at Meharry Medical College. They were a couple for 39 years until his death. Bill preceded her in death on February 27th, 1994.
Y.Y.'s civic interests included memberships in the Music City Chamber of Commerce, Hendersonville Area Chapter of The Links, Inc., and the Nashville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also volunteered at the Eighteenth Avenue Family Enrichment (Community Center where she was a Board Member and Treasurer. She received special recognition from the Louise Holiday and Virginia Hadley Women's Fellowship for Outstanding Service to Howard Congregational UCC as Consultant Engineer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Church Treasurer.
She was a Fellow in SWE and a Life Member of SWE and ASME. At TSU, she chartered Student Chapters for the following Professional Organizations: ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), SWE (Society of Women Engineers), ASH RAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), and Pi Tau Sigma - National Mechanical Honorary Society- Alpha Delta Chapter. She is a TSU link for the "Order of the Engineer". Y.Y. was honored in 2016 as one of the Co-Grand Marshals and Honorees during the Tennessee State University Homecoming Festivities.
Among Yvonne's God given talents was her ability to devote considerable intellect and attention to a task. For Y.Y., her life's focus was never about recognition or accolades. Her focus was always about the task at hand. If it was an engineering issue, it had her attention. If it was a student, they knew that they had her attention. If it were any colleague, friend, family or stranger, they knew that they had her attention. This is how she made everyone feel important, was by giving them her considerable attention.
Y.Y. was blessed with the opportunity to celebrate the observance of her 90th birthday with family and friends. It wasn't actually her official birthday, but it was celebrated as if it were. Yvonne got to hear the words of thankful appreciation from those to whom she had given her attention.
Y.Y. is survived by her brother Dr. C. Milton Young, III, M.D. and his wife Waltraud of Louisville, Kentucky. Nephews C. Milton Young IV and his wife Karen, Dr. Llyod Young, D.D.S., Christopher Howell Young. Her children Milton Hebert Clark, Sr. and daughter Carol Yvonne Lawson and son-in-law Eric Lawson, and grandchildren Paris Nicole Lawson and Milton Hebert Clark,Jr.
There were none like Y.Y. and we will miss her.
In lieu of flowers please send donation to the YY Clark Engineering Student Scholarship.
Send to:
Darlene G Harris-Vasser
Assistant Director of donor relations.
TSU Foundation
3500 John A Merritt blvd. BoX 9542, Nashville, Tn. 37209
Phone 615-963-5481
TSU website: tn.state.edu/foundation
Professor Y.Y. Clark was the first woman to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Howard University (HU), the first woman to serve as a faculty member in the College of Engineering and Technology at Tennessee State University (TSU), and the first woman to earn a Master's Degree in Engineering Management from Vanderbilt University.
Affectionately called "TSU's First Lady of Engineering", Clark taught Mechanical Engineering for 55 years in the College of Engineering and Technology at Tennessee State University, where she also served as Mechanical Engineering Department Head twice. Additionally, she acted as the Freshman Advisor for all incoming students to the College of Engineering.
Please keep the family of Mrs. Yvonne Young "Y.Y." Clark in your thoughts and prayers.
Service Arrangements
Viewing
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
New Generation Funeral Home
2930 Murfreesboro Pike
Antioch, TN
Visitation with the Family
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
Links Ceremony
5:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
Delta Ceremony
5:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
Celebration of Life
6:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
The Service of Committal & Interment
12:00 p.m. EST
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Cave Hill Cemetery
Louisville, KY
New Generation Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.
Mrs. Yvonne Y. Clark, P.E., was a pioneer for African-American and women engineers. A Woman of Firsts, she leaves behind a rich legacy.
Georgianna Yvonne Young was born on April 13, 1929 to Dr. Coleman Milton Young, Jr. a General Practioner and Surgeon and Hortense Houston Young a Library Scientist and Journalist. Y.Y. was unafraid to walk the road less traveled. As a woman coming of age during World War II, Yvonne's sense of patriotism would lead her to make bold choices not only as an African American but also as a woman. It was her desire to ferry U.S. bombers to Europe during the war that made her decide on a path that lead to her career in Mechanical Engineering. When Y.Y. graduated from Howard University, she was the only woman in the class of 300 Engineering students. However, because of the sexism of the day, Yvonne was not allowed to march with the rest of her class and received her Bachelor of Science diploma in the office of the University President. Historically, Yvonne was the first woman to graduate with a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University in 1951.
Though Yvonne's career was beset with obstacles, her unwavering guiding philosophy was "They never told me I couldn't do it." With this mindset Y.Y. went on to the following achievements among many others:
First African- American Woman hired at Frankford Arsenal Gage Lab. - First African-American Woman hired at R.C.A. - First Mrican-American member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). - First woman engineer ever hired as an Instructor at Tennessee State University (TSU) in the Mechanical Engineering Department. - Worked as an Aerospace Engineer (Flight-General) at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center investigating the Saturn 5 Rocket Booster engines hot spot issues. - First woman appointed as Department Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department at TSU - Worked at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, TX on the moon rock samples container for transporting moon rocks back to Earth. - First woman to be hired as an engineer at the Ford Motor Company - First African-American Woman to receive a Master's Degree in Engineering Management from Vanderbilt University - First Woman Presented "The Long Rifle Award" by the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America for Outstanding Service to Boyhood. - Received award given by the TSU student Chapter of ASME as the "Mechanism of the Year" for her unyielding support to her students. - The Y. Y. Clark Annual Scholarship was established at Tennessee State University for a third year female Mechanical Engineering student.
During one of her visits to Nashville she met William Freeman Clark,Jr. who was a biochemistry student at Fisk University. "Bill" Clark as he was known would marry Yvonne. Mrs. Clark married William "Bill" Freeman Clark Jr., on December 21, 1955, a biochemistry teacher at Meharry Medical College. They were a couple for 39 years until his death. Bill preceded her in death on February 27th, 1994.
Y.Y.'s civic interests included memberships in the Music City Chamber of Commerce, Hendersonville Area Chapter of The Links, Inc., and the Nashville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also volunteered at the Eighteenth Avenue Family Enrichment (Community Center where she was a Board Member and Treasurer. She received special recognition from the Louise Holiday and Virginia Hadley Women's Fellowship for Outstanding Service to Howard Congregational UCC as Consultant Engineer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Church Treasurer.
She was a Fellow in SWE and a Life Member of SWE and ASME. At TSU, she chartered Student Chapters for the following Professional Organizations: ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), SWE (Society of Women Engineers), ASH RAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), and Pi Tau Sigma - National Mechanical Honorary Society- Alpha Delta Chapter. She is a TSU link for the "Order of the Engineer". Y.Y. was honored in 2016 as one of the Co-Grand Marshals and Honorees during the Tennessee State University Homecoming Festivities.
Among Yvonne's God given talents was her ability to devote considerable intellect and attention to a task. For Y.Y., her life's focus was never about recognition or accolades. Her focus was always about the task at hand. If it was an engineering issue, it had her attention. If it was a student, they knew that they had her attention. If it were any colleague, friend, family or stranger, they knew that they had her attention. This is how she made everyone feel important, was by giving them her considerable attention.
Y.Y. was blessed with the opportunity to celebrate the observance of her 90th birthday with family and friends. It wasn't actually her official birthday, but it was celebrated as if it were. Yvonne got to hear the words of thankful appreciation from those to whom she had given her attention.
Y.Y. is survived by her brother Dr. C. Milton Young, III, M.D. and his wife Waltraud of Louisville, Kentucky. Nephews C. Milton Young IV and his wife Karen, Dr. Llyod Young, D.D.S., Christopher Howell Young. Her children Milton Hebert Clark, Sr. and daughter Carol Yvonne Lawson and son-in-law Eric Lawson, and grandchildren Paris Nicole Lawson and Milton Hebert Clark,Jr.
There were none like Y.Y. and we will miss her.
In lieu of flowers please send donation to the YY Clark Engineering Student Scholarship.
Send to:
Darlene G Harris-Vasser
Assistant Director of donor relations.
TSU Foundation
3500 John A Merritt blvd. BoX 9542, Nashville, Tn. 37209
Phone 615-963-5481
TSU website: tn.state.edu/foundation
Professor Y.Y. Clark was the first woman to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Howard University (HU), the first woman to serve as a faculty member in the College of Engineering and Technology at Tennessee State University (TSU), and the first woman to earn a Master's Degree in Engineering Management from Vanderbilt University.
Affectionately called "TSU's First Lady of Engineering", Clark taught Mechanical Engineering for 55 years in the College of Engineering and Technology at Tennessee State University, where she also served as Mechanical Engineering Department Head twice. Additionally, she acted as the Freshman Advisor for all incoming students to the College of Engineering.
Please keep the family of Mrs. Yvonne Young "Y.Y." Clark in your thoughts and prayers.
Service Arrangements
Viewing
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
New Generation Funeral Home
2930 Murfreesboro Pike
Antioch, TN
Visitation with the Family
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
Links Ceremony
5:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
Delta Ceremony
5:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
Celebration of Life
6:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1, 2019
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
901 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN
The Service of Committal & Interment
12:00 p.m. EST
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Cave Hill Cemetery
Louisville, KY
New Generation Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.
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