Nashville IT Leader Elsie Harper Clark Dies at 89

Elsie Harper Clark, a renowned IT professional and devoted community member, passed away on July 26, 2026, at the age of 89 in Franklin, Tennessee.

Born on March 13, 1937, in Urbanna, Virginia, Elsie was the second oldest daughter of Dorothy McKann and James Claybrook Harper. She spent her early years in Virginia before moving to Hopewell, where she excelled at Hopewell High School as a National Merit Scholar and valedictorian of the Class of 1955.

After graduating from high school, Elsie pursued a degree in Chemical Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, earning her Bachelor of Science with honors in 1959. She then began a successful career in information technology, taking on increasingly senior leadership roles until she became a senior vice president overseeing more than 50 personnel and 90 applications.

During her time in Nashville, Elsie worked at several prominent companies, including Genesco, First American National Bank, IBM Global, and Caterpillar Financial. In addition to her professional achievements, she was an active member of the West End United Methodist Church and a talented individual with interests in theater, music, travel, and art.