Earl Cranston Clark, 70, of Smyrna, Tenn., died July 7, 2017, in Smyrna, Tenn. Mr. Clark, a member of Lumbee Indian tribe, was a longtime musician who got his start in Nashville driving tour buses for country stars like Ernest Tubb, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Jerry Reed. He went on to write songs performed and recorded by artists such as George Strait, Johnny Rodriguez, Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker and Tim McGraw, and was the only Native American to achieve his level of success in the country music scene. His “Can’t Break it to My Heart” received more than two million plays and “Renegades, Rebels and Rogues,” sold a million copies. More than 80 of his songs were published by BMI Publishing in Nashville.
He was born Nov. 24, 1946 in Dillon, S.C., the son of the late Joseph and Anna Mae Clark.
He is survived by a brother: Joe “Fred” (Sue) Clark of High Ridge; a sister: Audrey (Jim) Yarbough of Lake St. Louis; by two young women he helped raise from a young age: Niki Corbert and Quicha Bryson; his former wife and best friend, Linda Clark of Smyrna, Tenn.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by a sister: Gwen Graham; and three brothers: Kenny, Willie and Aubrey.
Visitation is at 11 a.m. and a funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, July 14, at Chapel Hill Mortuary, 6300 Hwy. 30, in Cedar Hill. Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel Hill Mortuary.