Obituary of Angela Rae Clark

Angela Rae Clark-Mass, 54, of Edisto Island, South Carolina sadly left us on January 7th following a long battle with metastatic lung cancer. Angela is survived by her husband Richard Mass (Rick), sisters Monica Wratchford (Mona) & Jill Ann Poole, her brother Eric Hagerty, sisters-in-law Merceda, DeeDee, Lillian & Shelley, brothers-in-law Gene, Bob & Donald. Angela cherished her step-daughters Angela & Lydia, step-sons Zachery & Taylor, and grandkids Chiara, Campbell, Ezra, Ben & Colette (CoCo). She was also a popular aunt and great-aunt to more nieces & nephews than we can list. She was so excited to have become part of this large family!

Angela was a loving wife & amazing homemaker. She also worked in recruitment, grocery businesses, and was a small business owner/operator. Angela was ambitious, a risk taker, and sought opportunity. She left one day to interview for a part-time job at a nearby grocery and came home the new 2nd shift manager! She became a volunteer with the Army Corp of Engineers and was suddenly a ranger in training and Certified Interpretive Guide leading popular interpretive programs and helping to launch new ones! She was remarkable!

Angela was a devoted mother of poodles! Darlene, Wiget, Dutch, Louie…could not have been loved more completely. Sorry we cannot list you all guys! Angela was an advocate for all wildlife and our global home. She so enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells of the natural world. We looked for her hiking boots in the foreground photos from her many hiking & camping adventures.

Angela longed to live closer to earth’s natural wonders and interesting wildlife. To that end she purchased 13 wild acres in the Smokies of Western North Carolina and only half-jokingly asked Richard if he wanted to be listed on the deed or not! Of course, he agreed because he loved her so and always supported her. The adventure was on, and they created a lovely home, her pollinator beds, a network of gardens, blueberries, asparagus and more! She was visited by foxes, hawks, turkeys, bears and the occasional pack of wild dogs and coyotes. She protected them all and was in heaven!

During this time Angela studied herbal medicines, tribal history & tradition, and was adopted into a local Cherokee family. The Bush family took her under their wing, and she was so honored!

But sea tides were Angela’s true passion she learned, and Edisto became the next adventure. During a visit with close friends all she needed to hear was, “there are some nice lots for sale right across the marsh.” Angela & Richard built another beautiful home and jumped into island life. New and old friends alike still comment on all she accomplished in such a short time, and how she impacted their lives. She became a member of The Presbyterian Church on Edisto and joined the choir. She was just overwhelmed with the strong connection and warm acceptance she received here. Thank you all so much!

We read its best to welcome grief and not resist it. I suspect this is true of Angela’s memory and spirit as well. If we believe there is more to this universe than what we can see and touch then Angela is surely right here with us in a beautifully mysterious way. That sounds pretty wonderful to me!

A Celebration of Life Service for Angela will take place Saturday, February 3rd, at 2PM followed by a graveside committal and reception at The Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island, 2164 Hwy 174, Edisto Island, SC 29438.

Memorials may be made to Animal Lovers of Edisto, 8112 Palmetto Rd, Edisto Island, SC 29438.

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