Phyllis Clark's Obituary
On April 24, 2009, Phyllis Louise (White) Clark at the age of 74 years, went to heaven to be with Jesus. Phyllis died at her home in Udell, Iowa where she had been a resident for about fifty years. She lost her life due to brain cancer.
Phyllis was born on February 17, 1935 to Lester John White and Lois Irene (Chamberlain) White in Lovilia, Iowa. She attended Blue Front Country School near Moravia and Albia Schools. Phyllis graduated the eighth grade from Monroe County schools in Albia. She dropped out of eleventh grade in Moravia, and always regretted it. Phyllis said she wished her dad had kicked her butt and made her finish.
On April 9, 1953, Phyllis married the love of her life, Bobbie Gene Clark, and they raised their five children together. After the children went to school, she had different jobs. Phyllis was a seamstress for Jim Irelan's Men's Wear in Centerville, The Albia Glove Factory and she had her favorite job the last thirty years, cleaning homes for others. Phyllis enjoyed this and could set her own hours. She also enjoyed making clothes for her children and grandchildren. Phyllis could look at a dress and make up her own pattern for it. If she was not sewing, Phyllis always had a book to read and enjoyed many subjects. She also loved working on puzzles, as well as overnight shopping trips with her sister Sue.
Phyllis was a wonderful Christian woman and a great prayer warrior. She attended the House of Prayer in Centerville, Iowa. She was a long time member of the Open Bible Church in Centerville where she had been a secretary to the church board, as well as a board member herself.
Phyllis is survived by son Billy Clark of Udell, Iowa, son Dennis (Karen) Clark of Colorado, daughter Geneva (Clyde) Peel of Centerville, Iowa, daughter Susan (Dale) McFarland of Albia, Iowa, son Bob (Mary Rose) Clark, Jr of Udell, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Mike (Tiffany) Peel, Melanie (Derrick) Winston, Melinda Wireman (Kevin Paris), Michele Underwood, Marilyn (Nunzio) Lloyd, Tad Clark, Cody Clark, and Nicole Clark; thirteen great grandchildren; sisters Maxine (Leo) Herbst of California, Mary Sue (Therman) Shirley of Ottumwa, Iowa, half sister Jenny (David) Johnson of Grimes, Iowa, and half brother Junior (Juanita) White of Garden Grove, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bobbie Clark, Sr.; Father Lester John White; mother Lois (Chamberlain) White; nine month old baby sister Lola; father-in-law Vercil ""Bill"" Clark; mother-in-law Thelma (Davenport) Clark; and a sister-in-law Dixie Clark-Sharp.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. Wirtanen, Hospice of Central Iowa, Linda Staggs, Dee Belloma, and nurse Shirley of Hospice of Central Iowa.
Funeral services will be held 1 PM, Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at the Lange Funeral Home in Centerville with Pastor Joe Hayes and Pastor John Royer officiating. Burial will follow at the Haines Cemetery near Centerville. A visitation will be held Tuesday at the funeral home with the family present from 6-8 PM. A memorial has been established to the family or House of Prayer and may be left at or mailed to the Lange Funeral Home 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa. Condolences may be left online at www.thomaslangefuneralhome.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Phyllis?
What’s a lesson you learned from Phyllis?
Share a story where Phyllis' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Phyllis you’ll never forget.
How did Phyllis make you smile?