Grace Evelyn Wiley

Grace Evelyn Wiley born April 22th, 1947, passed away March 13th, 2026, peacefully in her home surrounded by her family she loved deeply, at the age of 78.
Grace was a woman of deep and unwavering faith. As a devoted member of Lonestar Pentecostal Church Glenmora, Louisiana, the Word of God was not something she kept to herself; it lived in her heart and flowed from her lips daily. She believed in speaking life, encouragement, and scripture to everyone she met. Whether you were family, friend, or someone she had just met, she always had a word of wisdom, a prayer, or a reminder of God's goodness ready to share.
But Grace didn't just show her love through words; she showed it through her hands, especially in the kitchen. Cooking was one of her greatest joys. To Grace, food was never just food. It was comfort. It was fellowship. It was love. She cooked for every holiday, every gathering, every celebration and truthfully, she didn't need a reason at all. If you walked through her door, you were going to eat.
Her home was a place where people gathered, laughed, and felt cared for. Her son Marvin made it a point to stop by every day during his lunch break to eat with her and spend time together. Those simple daily visits were moments she cherished. In the evenings, her daughter Melinda would come over to share supper, continuing the rhythm of family that Grace held so dear.
Grace's love extended far beyond her children. She was "Maw Grace" not only to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even a great-great-granddaughter, but to so many others who loved her like family. Her kitchen became a place of memories for generations. Many of us grew up running into her home, hoping she had made her famous donut holes. Those donut holes were loved by many and became a sweet tradition for the family.
Grace believed that feeding people fed the soul. And in many ways, she fed more than just our stomachs, she fed our hearts, our spirits, and our sense of belonging.
Grace also knew the deep pain of loss in this life. She lost her son, Louis, whom she loved very dearly. A mother never stops loving her child, and that love stayed with her always. But today we find comfort in knowing that what was once loss here on earth has now become reunion in heaven. We can only imagine the joy as Grace and Louis are reunited again, rejoicing together in the presence of the Lord.
The Bible reminds us in 2 Timothy 4:7-8:
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day."
Grace truly lived those words. She kept the faith. She loved deeply. She served others. And she pointed people toward God throughout her life.
She is survived by her loving children; Melinda Clark Willis and Marvin Clark and wife Nell her grandchildren; Nikki Shows and husband John, Zack Willis, Stormy Willis and wife Andrea, Brittany Clark, Jacob Clark and wife Kayla, Katie Coker, Dustin Clark and wife Heather, Nathan Clark and wife Shenna, Savannah Brown and husband Justin, Lauren Linzay and husband Thomas as well as 26 great - grandchildren and 1 great - great grandchild, her siblings; Charles Milton Smith and wife Debra, Rev. Curtis (Butch) Smith and wife Rose, Jimmy Dale Smith and wife Sue, Donnie Wayne Smith and wife Brenda.
She is preceded in passing by her beloved husband; Royd Wiley, her parents Willie Rudolph and Ellazene Boyd Smith, her son; Earl Louis Clark Jr., her sister; Willie Jean Smith and her late husband; Earl Louis Clark Sr.
While our hearts are heavy with her absence, we are grateful for the many years we were blessed to share with her and the legacy of love and faith she leaves behind
Though we will miss her dearly, we take comfort in knowing that the faith she lived by her entire life has now become her reality. She is at peace, reunited with the Lord she loved and spoke about so often.
And while Maw Grace may no longer be here with us physically, her legacy will continue in every family meal, every shared story, every prayer spoken over loved ones, and every memory of those sweet donut holes.
Family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 16, 2026, at The Lighthouse Church, 1728 Glenmora / Turkey Creek Road, Ville Platte, Louisiana. Funeral service will be held on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., at The Lighthouse Church, 1728 Glenmora / Turkey Creek Road, Ville Platte, Louisiana. Reverend Cody King will be officiating. Interment to follow at McCormick Cemetery in Turkey Creek, Louisiana.