Velva W Clark

Velva W. Clark, age 78, sadly passed away on April 9, 2023, at her home in Tampa with her family by her side. Born December 18, 1944, Velva was loved by all, from her beloved husband of 57 years, to her doted on daughter, son, grandchildren, and sisters, niece, nephew, and of course, her “besties” – those best friends for life, whom she celebrated with over the years.

Born in Maysville, Kentucky, to Dan and Marian Wells, after her father returned from distinguished service in the Air Force. Velva grew up in Carlisle, Kentucky, very close to her extended family in Mount Olivet. Her younger sisters, Debbie and Claudette, soon joined the family.

In 1959, Velva’s family moved to Tampa and she enrolled at Chamberlain High School where she excelled. As a senior, she was a Varsity Cheerleader, the President of the French Club, Z Club Treasurer, and Student Council Secretary. She was also a “Harvest Moon Homecoming Court” finalist and, not surprising, was voted the “Best Dressed” by her class. After graduating from Chamberlain High School in 1963, Velva attended the University of South Florida on an academic scholarship. She later transferred to the University of Florida, where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Velva soon met and married her husband, Jim, in 1965, and later graduated with honors in 1967 with a degree in psychology. In the year that followed, Velva joined Jim at multiple posts as he began his training for deployment to Vietnam. Velva and Jim welcomed their daughter, Kimberly, in June 1968 while Jim was in Vietnam. Their son, Dan, was born in December 1970, after Velva and Jim returned to Tampa where Jim enrolled in law school.

While raising their daughter and son, and with Jim pursuing a law career, Velva worked in human resources and public administration with the University of South Florida and the Florida Mental Health Institute. Velva also remained involved in all of her children’s schools, as the President of the Carrollwood Elementary School’s PTA and Jesuit High School’s Mother’s Association, as well as the Foundation.

Velva served her community her entire life, at one time appointed as the executive director of the Mental Health Association of Hillsborough County and later to the Board of Trustees for the University of Tampa. Velva was a long-standing member of The Chiselers (President), Friends of the Arts, Easter Seals Children’s Guild, Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, and the Outback Bowl Committee.

A devoted wife and mother, with endless love for her family, Velva is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Clark Yarbrough; her son, Dan Clark (his wife, Sandra); her grandchildren, Clark Yarbrough (26), Reid Clark (23), Justin Clark (21), Kirk Daniel Yarbrough (21), Wells Clark (19), and Claudette Yarbrough (18); her sisters, Deborah Wells Fernandez (71) and Marian Claudette Wells (69) (her wife, Helen); her nephew, Jason Wells Fernandez (42) (his wife Adrienne); her niece, Erin Elizabeth Fernandez (37); her uncle, Robert Wheary (his wife, Ginger), and her cousin Lloyd Wells (his wife, Diana). Velva was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Clark (1944-2022), her mother, Marian Wells (1922-2012), and her father, Dan Wells (1919-2001).

Services will be held on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at 2pm, at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, MacDill Chapel, 605 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, FL, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please donate to pancreatic cancer research.