Mildred Lorene Brown Clark Lorene Brown Clark

Mildred (Millie) Lorene Brown Clark was born on July 15, 1929, on the family farm in Howard County Texas, near the small town of Knott. She was the fourth of six children born to her parents, Jacob Eddie Brown and Mary Elizabeth O'Daniel Brown. She attended Knott School, where she lettered in basketball and graduated valedictorian of her class. She achieved her bachelor's degree from Hardin Simmons University in May of 1950 and was the first member of her family to attend and graduate from college. After graduating with honors, she wore many work hats, working for the phone company, the newspaper, and later as a teacher and teacher's aide.

She met Calvin Ray Clark and the two married on March 7, 1952, at her mother's home in Big Spring, Tx. They have three children, Thomas Ray Clark, Mark Wendell Clark, and Shelley Beth Clark Willingham. The family moved often, following Calvin's work in the oil industry. They lived in multiple locations in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, London, England, and back to Dallas Texas in 1976.

The couple traveled extensively around the world for Calvin's work, taking Millie along as his "secret weapon." She was smart, very sociable, gracious, beautiful and charming to all she met, and her warmth was felt by anyone who met her.

After retirement in the early 1980's, they moved to Hide-Away Lake near Lindale, Texas. They quickly became friends with many people in the community. Millie joined a dance group called "The Lake-ettes" and performed with the group for many years. They eventually moved back to the DFW area to be closer to family.

They continued to travel for pleasure in their RV, as well as to do mission work, going everywhere from Mexico, Long Island, New York, Estonia, Prague and Louisiana. She was very instrumental in starting the Highland Village Senior Center in 2004.

At the age of 70, Millie discovered her musical talents, learning to play the piano, auto harp, and mountain dulcimer, all by ear. This opened a whole new world for her and Calvin, as she joined several music groups and traveled in their RV to many festivals. Calvin was her Roadie and her #1 Groupie. Even after they could no longer travel, Millie played with David Adams and his band.

In their late 80's, they chose to move to Avanti Senior Living in Flower Mound Texas, where they made many friends with both residents and staff, and enjoyed being with people their own age. They are members of Argyle United Methodist Church and generously support several local food banks in the area.

Millie is preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Mary Brown, brothers Marlin, Jacob, Wendell, and sister Juanita Battenfield and their spouses Dorothy, Geraldine, Janet and Horace Battenfield. She is also preceded in death by her precious grandson Brandon Thomas Clark, who was tragically killed at the tender age of 6.

She is survived by her husband Calvin of 73 years, her brother Roger and wife Anna Brown, children Tom Clark and wife Jan, Mark Clark and wife Karen, Shelley Willingham and husband Guy, grandchildren Jennifer (Mike), Jessica (Matt), Andrew (Joel), Matthew (Chasity), and Mia. Great grandchildren are Tyler, Cody (Sheila), Cory, Travis, Allie, Oliver, Eisley Jayne, and Grayer. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and many dear friends, Alice Brennan, Bob and Linda Wooley, and honorary children Courtney, Kaliyah and Kimani Walker, Chris Schoolcraft, Anne Mimms and Maria and John Bondock.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in her name may be made to the food bank of your choice.

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