Sharron Jorene Clark

Former Fairbanks resident, teacher, loving mother and devoted wife Sharron Jorene Clark passed away into the arms of our Lord in the early morning hours of Feb. 6, 2010, in Tahlequah, Okla., with her devoted husband, Glenn, and brave oldest son, Glenn Travis, at her side. Sharron was born Dec. 27, 1944, in Jacksonville, Fla. She was 65.

The oldest of six children, Sharron helped raise her siblings and was proud of their accomplishments in life. She was a devoted follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church and a proud, full blood Native American, belonging to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. As a child, Sharron received her Indian name through a vision. To the world at large, she was Sharron; to the Earth, the Creator and to family, she will forever be known as Princess Bullsnake.

Sharron's passion was education. Shortly after the Clark family moved to Alaska, she immersed herself in helping students achieve their maximum potential in their studies and in life. She was active in communities around the state from Juneau to Aniak, Kaltag to Tanana and finally, Fairbanks. After successfully receiving her Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Sharron was quickly hired by the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. She taught for several years at West Valley High School in the 1980s and at Lathrop High School, where she retired in the late '90s.  Sharron loved the works of William Shakespeare and her heart can be found in numerous verses, poems and plays of the bard.

Sharron's greatest love was her family. Each of her five children has grown to be thoughtful and passionate adults, wonderful husbands and wives, and caring parents. By her side, always, was the unconditional love of her husband, Glenn Leroy Clark. The family asks that Sharron's memory forever be coupled with the never-ending love that Glenn provided. He has been, and always will be, the foundation of their family.

Sharron was preceded in death by her parents, Yahola Simms and Beulah Mae King, and her oldest daughter, Dianna Dee Clark (Feistner), who died just five months previously.

She is survived by her husband, Glenn Leroy Clark, of Park Hill, Okla.; daughter, Kellie Lee Strauch and son and daughter Jonathan and Jessica Jannot, of Spokane, Wash.; son Glenn Travis Clark and wife, Angela and daughter Gabriella, of Wichita, Kan.; son Darrell Clark and wife, Dionna, and son, Kaiden, of Fairbanks; son Kelvin Clark and wife, Heidi, of Tulsa, Okla.; grandsons, James and Michael Carter of Fairbanks; sisters, Winona Simms, Peggy Rains, Yolanda Otero and Kay Freeland; brother, Yahola Simms II; and many other relatives, friends and colleagues.

Sharron would have been a grandmother again in March as Darrell and Dionna welcome their daughter, Kira Jo Rae, into the world. She would have also been a great-grandmother in March as James and his spouse, welcome their own daughter. She was so happy to hear the news.

Her family said, "We are so loved by you, Mom. We are so proud of you. May God bless you and keep you. Our love will keep us together, here. We send love to you and to Dee.  Rest now, Princess. The Creator, our Lord, has called you home."

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to help offset funeral costs. A Wells Fargo memorial account has been set up by son, Darrell Clark, Acct. 2476744368.

A wake has been scheduled in Okmulgee, Okla., today, Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Tallahassee Church, with funeral and burial services to follow on Thursday, Feb. 11.  Sharron will be laid to rest near her mother and father. The family hopes to scatter the cremains of her daughter with her so they may make their final journey together.

Arrangements were by Hart Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Tahlequah, OK.