Kathryn Probst Clark

Kathryn Probst Clark, 97, of Little Rock passed away April 23, 2026. She was the second of four daughters born to Augie and Elsie Probst. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Mary Dolores Longinotti. She is survived by her sisters, Dorothy Melancon of Baton Rouge, LA., and Patricia Papan of Little Rock, along with many loving nieces and nephews.

Kathy was born November 5, 1928, at the old St. Vincent Infirmary at 10th and High Street in Little Rock. The hospital bill, dated November 5–13, 1928, totaled $66.15 for eight days: room ($40), laboratory ($5), delivery room ($10), dressing and medication ($9.50), and pharmacy ($1.65). She was quite a bargain baby.

Although she had several serious health scares as a child, she defied the odds, living to the age of 97.

She and her three sisters—Dodie (Mary Dolores) Longinotti, Dottie (Dorothy Ann) Melancon, and Patsy (Patricia) Papan—grew up in a loving Catholic family. Though living in different cities and states as adults, Kathy and her sisters remained close friends. They enjoyed their time together traveling, sharing meals, playing games, or just being silly. Kathy attended St. Edward’s Grade School in Little Rock, where classes consisted of two grades in one classroom with one nun as the teacher. She remembered that the school had outside toilets and water troughs. Kathy was a good student and often reminisced in her later years about wearing a uniform and marching in the St. Edward’s Drum and Bugle Corps. Oddly, this recollection was one of her strongest memories in her later years, even when she had long forgotten her remarkable career and its many accolades.

Kathy attended Mt. St. Mary Academy in Little Rock, graduating in 1946. She was named “Most Friendly Senior,” was chairperson of the senior prom committee, a member of the homecoming court, and participated in several school activities. She had an active social life, dating three different boys from Catholic High named “Jimmy,” one of whom she eventually married.

Following high school, Kathy had a long career in secretarial and administrative positions. Among these, she worked at the old VA Hospital in 1950, and from 1953 to 1959 she served as secretary to the administrator at University Hospital at MacArthur Park. This was during the time when the hospital and medical school were transitioning to their new home on Markham Street, now known as UAMS. In fact, photos of Kathy and some of her nieces and nephews were used in some of the hospital’s early promotional materials.

Kathy worked for the Arkansas Central Credit Union League from 1962 to 1966. Later, in 1966, she went to work at KARK Radio (now KARN) as secretary to general manager Ted Snider for five years.

Kathy was always a news enthusiast and kept files of clippings on current events. She eventually landed her dream job as Director of Public Affairs at KARK-TV, Channel 4, where she worked from 1975 to 1988. Her intelligence, beauty, personality, organizational skills, strong work ethic, and compassionate nature made her a perfect fit for the position. Her responsibilities included the Arkansas Community Service Awards, Coats for Kids, Letters to Santa, and numerous other Channel 4 community projects. Producing and coordinating the annual Easter Seals Telethon was an especially demanding project, involving several months of planning and long hours behind the scenes—overnight Saturday through Sunday.

One of Kathy’s many honors was a national award from the National Federation of Press Women for the early morning show “4 Your Information.” This program fulfilled a commitment made to Governor David Pryor by Channel 4 General Manager David Jones to help Arkansans find jobs during a time of high unemployment. In cooperation with the Employment Security Division, Kathy would list 10 job openings every morning.

During her years at KARK, Kathy enjoyed meeting and working with many notable figures, including governors, President Clinton, and various television and film actors.

Although she received many awards and accolades for her work in public affairs and community service, she remained humble and kind to all her colleagues. Though it may be hard to imagine, Kathy once stated in an interview that when she was young, she was afraid to try new things—but she encouraged young people to pursue what they want and not be afraid to try.

Even after retirement, Kathy continued to stay informed about local and world affairs.

In her later years, Kathy’s nieces and nephews spent more time with her. She was also blessed with wonderful caregivers, Linnie Moses and Phyllis McCullor, who became like family and treated her with great care and dignity.

Her final seven years were spent at Presbyterian Village, where she received kind, attentive, and loving care from the staff. The family is deeply grateful to all the caregivers, as well as Hospice Home Care of Little Rock, and especially to her nurse, Javonne Mack, whom she loved dearly—and occasionally liked to challenge.

Kathy’s nieces and nephews in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas adored and admired her, as did all who crossed her path. She will be sorely missed. May she rest in eternal peace.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Easter Seals or AETN.