 100vw, 2000px”>Former State Representative and House Speaker Pro Tem Robert Clark, Jr., lies in state at the State Capitol rotunda, Sunday, March 9, 2025 in Jackson. Clark was also the first Black legislator in the state since Reconstruction. <span class=)
Former Mississippi Rep. Robert Clark Jr. lay in state Sunday in the Capitol Rotunda as family, friends, officials and fellow citizens paid respect to the first Black legislator in the state since Reconstruction.
Clark, a Holmes County native, was elected to the House in 1967 and served until his retirement in 2004. He was elected speaker pro tempore by the House membership in 1993 and held that second-highest House position until his retirement.
The Senate and House honored the 96-year-old veteran lamaker last week.
 100vw, 2000px”>A Mississippi state trooper salutes the coffin of former State Rep. and House Speaker Pro Tem Robert Clark Jr. before the changing of the honor guard in the State Capitol rotunda Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Jackson. Clark was the first Black legislator in the state since Reconstruction. <span class=)
“Robert Clark … broke so many barriers in the state of Mississippi with class, resolve and intellect. So he is going to be sorely missed,” Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said last week.
Hosemann was among those who came Sunday to honor Clark. So did House Speaker Jason White, who like Clark hails from Holmes County.
 chats with Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, Sunday, March 9, 2025, in the State Capitol Rotunda where Rep. Clark’s father, Robert Clark, Jr. lies in repose. Robert Clark, Jr. a former State Representative and House Speaker Pro Temp Robert Clark, Jr., was also the first Black legislator in the state since Reconstruction.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/09162900/Robert-Clark-9.jpg” data-large-file=”https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/09162900/Robert-Clark-9.jpg” src=”https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/09162900/Robert-Clark-9.jpg” alt=”” class=”wp-image-1134863″ srcset=”https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/09162900/Robert-Clark-9.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/09162900/Robert-Clark-9-768×527.jpg 768w, https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/09162900/Robert-Clark-9-1536×1054.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/09162900/Robert-Clark-9-1200×823.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/09162900/Robert-Clark-9-1568×1076.jpg 1568w, https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/09162900/Robert-Clark-9-400×274.jpg 400w” sizes=”(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px”>Rep. Bryant Clark (center) chats with Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann on Sunday, March 9, 2025, in the State Capitol Rotunda where Rep. Clark’s father, Robert Clark Jr. lies in repose. Robert Clark Jr. a former state representative and House speaker pro tem, was the first Black legislator in the state since Reconstruction. <span class=)
Clark was the only Black Mississippian serving in the Legislature from until 1976 and was ostracized when first elected, sitting at a desk by himself for years without the classic deskmates. But he rose to become a respected leader.
An educator when elected to the House, Clark served 10 years as chair of the House Education Committee, including when the historic Education Reform Act of 1982 was passed.
Clark served as the only Black Mississippian serving in the Legislature from 1968 until 1976.
“He was a trailblazer and icon for sure,” White said last week.
 100vw, 2000px”>Former state Rep. and House Speaker Pro Tem Robert Clark Jr. lies in state at the State Capitol rotunda on Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Jackson. Clark was the first Black legislator in the state since Reconstruction. <span class=)
 100vw, 2000px”>Respects are paid to former state Rep. and House Speaker Pro Tem Robert Clark Jr. lying in state at the State Capitol Rotunda on Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Jackson. Clark was the first Black legislator in the state since Reconstruction. <span class=)
 100vw, 2000px”>Respects are paid to former state Rep. and House Speaker Pro Tem Robert Clark Jr. lying in state at the Capitol Rotunda 0n Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Jackson. Clark was the first Black legislator in the state since Reconstruction. <span class=)
 100vw, 2000px”>Family and friends gathered in the Capitol Rotunda to pay their respects to former state Rep. and House Speaker Pro Tem Robert Clark Jr. lies at the State Capitol on Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Jackson. Clark was the first Black legislator in the state since Reconstruction. <span class=)
Vickie King has experience as a professional photographer spanning 35 years- from childhood purchasing her first camera by selling flower seeds to neighbors, as a stringer for Associated Press in Des Moines, Iowa, a freelancer shooting an album cover to your loved one’s wedding, and your kids and pets at a J.C. Penney portrait studio. She joins the Mississippi Today team as a photojournalist.
A native Mississippian and resident of Jackson, Vickie was born in Laurel.
You know her work from years as a staff photographer for the Clarion-Ledger. Her award-winning photography has appeared in such publications as the New York Times, Editor & Publisher Magazine, People Magazine, in national news broadcasts, and books depicting the devastation of Hurricane Katrina to the glory of Ole Miss football.
Most recently, she is the former photographer, Special Projects Officer IV, Staff Officer I, videographer, and online content producer for the Mississippi Department of Corrections. She is also a Pulitzer Prize nominee for Spot News.
Vickie is a graduate of Simpson College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Relations.
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