Jean Elizabeth Smith Clark passed away at Regency on Whidbey the morning of June 1 at the age of 96. She was born in Macon, Ga., on Oct. 2, 1920, to Chauncey and Jennie (McKinney) Smith. Jean graduated from high school and attended college at Mercer University in Macon.
In 1941, Jean met her lifelong companion, Bill Clark, who was a flight instructor at Cochran Field in Macon. Jean and Bill married the next year on April 17, 1942. He was immediately sent off to war. While Bill served in WWII, Jean lived with her mother. After the war Bill remained in the service and they were finally able to build their lives together moving around the country with their five children. They lived in Tampa, Fla.; Farmingdale, N.Y.; Dayton, Ohio; Montgomery, Ala.; Alexandria, Va.; Seattle; Media, Pa.; New Orleans, La.; and Columbia, Md. Jean and Bill finally retired to Coupeville in 1983, where they thrived for the last 33 years.
Jean loved her life as a homemaker and mother. She enjoyed many hobbies including sewing, painting, bridge, gardening, genealogy, restoring antique furniture, designing and building a new house in Coupeville when they first arrived, and even renovating an older home as recently as 2015. Jean and Bill were a great team. Jean loved to design projects, large and small, and Bill brought them to life!
As a devout Catholic, Jean was a very active member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She was in the Altar Society and looked forward to their Bible study sessions. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Governor Isaac Stevens Chapter, and the Military Officers Wives Association.
During her final week, she had visits from her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends, where there were many prayers and recollections of wonderful memories of her fascinating life.
Jean is survived by her five children, William Clark Jr. (Sandra) of Oak Park, Ill.; Paula Warme (James) of Longview, Wash.; Carol Smith (Frederick) of Oak Harbor; Susan Wilvert of Haymarket, Va.; and Jeffrey Clark (Terry) of Kirkland, Wash. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren.
On Nov. 8, 2016, Bill preceded Jean in death. At the time of her death the family was preparing for his interment at Arlington National Cemetery. Now they will be laid to rest together on Aug. 23, with Bill receiving full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation for the children of Haiti in Cite Soleil, where Jean’s son Jeff and daughter-in-law Terry have founded a school. Online donations to this project can be made at https://donorbox.org/in lieu of flowers allowing space for comments. You may also donate at the website affhope.org. Checks can be mailed to: AFF-Haiti School Project, P.O. Box 611, Bothell, WA 98041.
A funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 8, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Coupeville. with Rev. Paul Pluth, J.C.L. presiding.
Please visit Jean’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories or condolences. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home &Cremation, LLC, Oak Harbor.
