Catherine Orene Clark

God saw Catherine Orene Clark, 93, of Smyer, Texas getting tired, so he wrapped his arms around her and took her home on Monday, August 31, 2020. With children by her side at home, this precious mother, loving grandmother, caring friend, miracle lady, and inspiration to so many passed peacefully after battling congestive heart failure and other health issues.

Visitation will be held at Resthaven Abbey Chapel 5740 W 19th St., Lubbock, TX., on Thursday, September 3, 2020 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at First Baptist Church 3rd & Grant, Smyer, TX., on Friday, September 4, at 10:00 a.m., followed by Interment at Resthaven Memorial Park 5740 W 19th St. Lubbock, TX.

Catherine was born in Enochs, grew up in Bula, and at seventeen married her handsome soldier and the love of her life, Carl Clark. Together, they created a wonderful life, living in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Germany during his twenty years in the army. After Carl’s retirement from the army, they moved to Smyer, TX., where she has lived for the past fifty-six years.

She was blessed to be able to stay home and enjoy being a devoted wife, mother of five children and homemaker for many years. Later in life, Catherine so lovingly cared for her husband when he became ill. At that time, she also experienced working outside the home, working part time in the school cafeteria and later in her daughter’s daycare. Children and co-workers loved her!

Family was important to her, and she enjoyed being very involved in her children’s lives and activities. She also loved her parents and siblings with all her heart. She was always busy. Seldom did you ever see her sit down, and seldom did you hear her complain or say she was tired. Catherine did everything with a positive spirit and could outwork most people half her age. She cooked, sewed, and took great care of her family, house, garden, yard and flowers. She lived during the era of writing letters and loved corresponding to family and friends through letters and cards. There are still drawers full of cards she received and cherished over the years.

Left as a widow at fifty-six, she learned to later enjoy life in different ways, which included staying close to her adult children and being very involved in her grandchildren’s lives. She could be seen at ballgames, stock shows, competitions, school events, parties, etc. Grandchildren were always welcomed at her home, and she spent many days and nights sharing her life with them.

With supportive friends and family, she painted, line danced, did water aerobics, bowled, played cards, traveled, and was in charge of the Levelland Senior Citizen’s Dance on Friday nights. Of course, as soon as she was free of her duties, she was also on the dance floor. Children and grandchildren knew they were still always welcome, but not on Friday nights (unless they went to watch her dance). She finally had a night that was “her” night.

In her seventies, God placed a wonderful man, Forrest Earnest, in her life, who became her “boyfriend” for eighteen years until his passing. Together, they shared many wonderful experiences that provided loving companionship and happiness. They enjoyed fishing, road-trips, playing dominoes, visiting and holding hands, and lots of dancing. As a bonus, his children won her heart too.

Catherine was vibrant, loving, fun and funny. She was forgiving and encouraging no matter the situation. She loved unconditionally. She was proud and grateful for everything she had been blessed with throughout life. Although material things were not what she treasured, her closet was always full of beautiful clothes with matching broches and what seemed like thousands of shoes. She carried her purse everywhere she went, even if to just run into the post office. Her hair was always rolled and combed, and seldom would you see her without her lipstick on.

Nothing slowed her down. She was very independent, still driving and going as strong as ever until she had a massive brain bleed at age 89. Her survival was a miracle. The last four years were different for her and her family in many ways. But some things did not change. She continued to be her family’s role model and inspiration. She continued to enjoy family time, laughter, trips to Ruidoso, music, modified dancing in the living room with her family, and pouring out love to her children and grandchildren.

Her young great- grandchildren helped to keep her life exciting. She continued to live life to its fullest the best she could, and she worked hard at regaining her health so she could help others as much as they were helping her. She was never alone. Family was blessed by being able to stay with her at all times and soak up her love, friendship and powerful life lessons. She missed her independence, but again seldom did she complain. She continued to put others first. There was never a day her family did not feel her strong and devoted love.

Catherine was a strong Christian who loved attending and working in her church and for her community. She was a member of Smyer First Baptist for over fifty years, and unless she was ill or out of town, you could find her going (usually walking) to Sunday School every Sunday morning. Since her stroke, the walking changed to riding, but on most Sunday mornings, there was no place she would rather be than in church. For the past several months, she truly missed being able to attend. She loved her Lord and fellowship with her church family.

Catherine is preceded in death by her husband Carl H. Clark, her son Carl E. Clark, her granddaughter Christina Reed, her son-in-law Gary Green, Son-in-law Kevin Williamson, her parents, four brothers, three sisters and her special friend Forrest Earnest.

She is survived by her son Danny Clark and daughter-in-law Glenda of Smyer and three daughters: Charlotte and son-in-law Randy of Buffalo Lake, Carolyn Clark Chote of Smyer and Cheryl Green of Lubbock. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Tricia Newman, Foy and Laura Thompson, Carla Thompson, Bruce Williamson, Scott and Whitley Green, Dakota and Garrett Mathewson, Khristy and Mike Biggs Brad Jeffreys, Caitlin Maciel and Gina Campbell; her great-grandchildren: Alicia (Josh), Austin (Lola), Ezra, Vincent, Lily, Peyton, Carson, Olive, Chloe, Cooper, Emmaleigh and Morgan; and great-great grandchildren: Arya and Leo.

Catherine was loved and cherished by all. She will be remembered as a beautiful lady and genuinely good woman, who lived a life of putting others first.

Thank you to Melinda Guzman, who loved her and helped care for her and to Brother Gene and Paula, Debbie, and Sue Bell for visiting and singing to her in her last days. With tearful eyes, her children saw her take her last breath, but they know just before she did, God whispered for her to come to him. She will continue to live in her family’s hearts. She was simply the best and will always be loved.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Smyer First Baptist Church.