Robert Clark, the first Black person elected to the Mississippi Legislature in the modern era, has died at age 96.

Clark, a Holmes County native, was elected to the House in 1967 and served until his retirement in 2004. Clark was the highest-ranking Black person elected to a state government office in Mississippi since Reconstruction in the 1800s.

Clark was elected speaker pro tempore by the House membership in 1993 and held that second-highest House position until his retirement.

On Tuesday it was the state Senate – not the House — where Clark’s death was first announced in the Mississippi Capitol. The House, where Clark broke so many barriers, was not scheduled to convene until Tuesday afternoon.

On Tuesday morning, freshman Sen. Bradford Blackmon, D-Canton, who represents Clark’s native Holmes County, announced on the Senate floor that Clark had died earlier in the morning.

The Senate held a moment of silence and adjourned in his memory.

“Robert Clark … broke so many barriers in the state of Mississippi with class, resolve and intellect. So he is going to be sorely missed,” said the Senate’s presiding officer, Lt.Gov. Delbert Hosemann, to the Senate chamber after the moment of silence.

When the House did convene Tuesday afternoon, Clark was recognized for his tenure.

“He was a trailblazer and icon for sure,” said House Speaker Jason White, who like Clark hails from tiny Holmes County. “He was always mighty good to me when I was elected to office.”

Still, White joked that when he was elected speaker pro tem Clark was quick to point out he was the second pro tem from Holmes County.

“Robert Clark, he was the beginning,” said Rep. Oscar Denton, D-Vicksburg. “He was the beginning for every African American up here. Can you imagine being the only one?”

Denton said the state owed Clark a debt of gratitude for helping to usher in a new era for Mississippi.

Clark served as the only Black Mississippian serving in the Legislature from 1968 until 1976.

Clark was ostracized when first elected to the House and sat at a desk by himself without the traditional deskmates that other House members had. But he rose to be a respected leader.

Clark, who was an educator when elected to the House, served 10 years as chair of the House Education Committee, including during the period when the historic Education Reform Act of 1982 was passed.

In 1992 during an intense speaker’s election, incumbent Speaker Tim Ford tabbed Clark as his choice for pro tem. Ford was reelected as speaker, and Clark made history by becoming pro tem.

For a brief period in the 1800s after the Civil War, Black Mississippians held major positions in state government. But Clark was the first Black Mississippian to hold such a position since that Reconstruction period.

As pro tem, Clark presided over the House in Ford’s absence.

He was succeeded in the House by his son, Rep. Bryant Clark. While Billy McCoy was serving as speaker from 2004 until 2012, Bryant Clark on occasion would preside over the House as his father had made history doing.

“He was not just a trailblazer in our state’s history, but a true mentor, confidant and (counselor) to me,” Bryant Clark said on Facebook Tuesday. “He shaped me into the man I am today, and through every challenge and triumph, he was there — offering guidance, wisdom, and yes, even a few tough critiques when I needed them most. He was my hero, both in public service and in life, and his impact will forever be felt by me and many others.”

Rep. Omeria Scott, D-Laurel, who served as Clark’s deskmate from the time she was elected in 1992 until his retirement in 2004, simply said, “I don’t think there will be another one” like Clark. Scott now serves as a deskmate to Clark’s son.

In the 1980s, Clark ran to become the first Black Mississippian elected to the U.S. House since Reconstruction. He won the Democratic primary for the 2^nd District post, but lost the general election. In later years, Mike Espy won the election to become the first Black Mississippian elected to the U.S. Congress. Espy was followed by Bennie Thompson, continuing until this day the representation by a Black Mississippian in the 2nd District.

“My prayers go out to Robert Clark and his family,” said Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs who served in the House with Clark. “The honorable Robert Clark has broken so many barriers. I always will remember him as a gentleman who persevered. I learned so much from him. He was a giant of a man.”

Rep. Robert Johnson of Natchez, the House Democratic leader who also served with Clark, said, “Mississippi has lost a giant, but his legacy will endure in the laws he helped shape, the leaders he mentored and the countless lives he touched.”

Updated 3/4/24: This story has been updated with comments from Missippi House members.

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