On July 18, 2023, Elna Evans Clark, loving wife, Mother, Grandmommy, and Great Grandmommy, peacefully passed away at the age of 86 following a brief illness.
Funeral services for Elna will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, July 22 at the Central United Methodist Church in Brownwood; interment to follow at Rocky Creek Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 – 8:00 pm, Friday evening, July 21 at the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home of Brownwood.
Elna, daughter of Oral and Lorene Evans, was born on July 6, 1937, and was a lifelong resident of Brownwood, Texas. Elna married the love of her life, Don L. Clark, on January 27, 1957. Don and Elna had known each other since the age of 7. They were married for over 63 amazing years. Elna loved Don with all her heart, and he remained the forever love of her life.
After graduating from Brownwood High School in 1955, Elna attended North Texas State College and Howard Payne College, earning her bachelor’s degree in education in 1958 in three years.
In 1960, Elna began her teaching career in Brownwood Independent School District. She taught at Brownwood Junior High and North Elementary before moving to Brownwood High School, where she taught for 21 years. Over the years, she influenced hundreds of students while teaching high school algebra, coaching BHS’s first women’s volleyball team, and briefly serving as the drill team sponsor. She influenced so many lives and is still known to her former students as “Mrs. Clark.” She always smiled when recalling the many times a former student approached her saying, “Mrs. Clark! You taught me x-years ago! Do you remember me?!”
Elna retired from teaching in 1992 after 28 dedicated years. She was a longstanding member of Texas State Teachers Association, remaining a member until she passed. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an organization for women educators promoting excellence in education. She was a member of various PTAs, supporting their efforts as both a parent and educator.
Elna was involved in numerous community activities. She was a member of the Mary Garland Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Brownwood, able to trace her family history on both her mother and father’s sides to the American Revolution. She was also a member of the Brownwood Genealogical Society and enjoyed exploring her family history, exchanging documentation and information on family history. She frequently met with her bridge and sewing groups where she shared many incredible friendships. She regularly played 42 at the Dam VFD Community Center. She was modest about her skills but often “schooled” her opponents in the nuances of effective bidding and successful play. She even attended a Sunday night couples game group to play cards or dominos.
Elna was a devoted member of Central United Methodist Church for almost 60 years and was a member of the Fidelis Sunday School Class. She was a generous supporter of her church while giving freely of her time and her talents. She sewed and crafted with the women of the church for many Fall Festivals and cooked her fair share of delectables for potlucks and fundraisers.
Elna had many hobbies and was an extraordinary seamstress. She flawlessly made everything from tuxedos to grandchildren’s Halloween costumes. She embroidered and continued to do handwork until her passing. The Clark home is filled with her handiwork, whether it be quilts, pillows, or blankets. Once she had a vision for a pattern, the finished product soon appeared.
As much as she loved to sew, her true talent was in her kitchen. She was a skillful cook and collector of cookbooks, and spices. If an ingredient was missing in a Brownwood grocery store, a person could usually “shop” Elna’s pantry and find it. She loved cooking for family or friends and was the consummate hostess. She had table décor appropriate for any holiday. At a moment’s notice, she could effortlessly put out a spread for a small army. Her favorite times were those with family squeezed around her table with jokes and stories and laughter and great food, followed by games involving cards or dominos. She would quietly beat the thunder out of everyone and then give a sheepish smile. Rarely did we beat Mom, but Goodness knows, we tried!
Elna’s family—her husband, children, and grandchildren—were her world. She doted on Laro, Cristi, and Kelly. She and Don went to every sporting event, academic banquet, graduation, and celebration of their children. She would proudly brag on them and their successes: their son, the pilot; their daughter, the military spouse and mother; and their son, the attorney. She was quick to hold each new grandbaby, cherishing Kyle, Kreg, Clark, Kara, Kelsey, Connor, and Allie. She oversaw countless hours of grandkids swimming off the dock or boating on “their” lake. Treating each as if they were the favorite, she would love on them and then get to the business of feeding them ice cream or watermelon. They loved shouting out, “Grandmommy, watch me!” as they made their way to the top of the dock to jump into the water for the millionth time. She loved watching her grandkids do things they loved and attended countless football, baseball, basketball, and softball games, bull riding events, dance recitals, pom performances, awards ceremonies, concerts, musicals, swim meets, and high school and college graduations. And she loved every second.
Elna valued education. Throughout her life, she focused on teaching, whether it be in the classroom, in the kitchen, at the sewing table, or at the card/domino table. She was patient with her students, and although she was more than willing to assist, she insisted the students complete the work for themselves rather than doing it for them. Her passion for learning flowed through her children and grandchildren. She was proud that she and Don ensured each of their children graduated with college degrees, several with more than one. She was also quite proud that each of her grandchildren graduated with their college degrees as well. At the time of her passing, her children, her children’s spouses, and her grandchildren held more than twenty college degrees.
She is survived by her brother Ben Evans of Brownwood; her children and their spouses, Laro and Susan Clark of Brownwood, Kelly and Caroline Clark of Lubbock, and Cristi and Larry Jones of Bennett, CO; her grandchildren, Allie Clark, Kelsey Clark, Connor Clark, Kyle and Amy Jones, Kreg and Kayla Jones, Clark and Christine Jones, and Kara and Zach Lyle; and her great grandchildren, Charlotte Jones, Jordan Jones, Kash Jones, Clayton Jones, and Rowan Lyle. Elna also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends.
Elna is proceeded in death by her loving husband, Don L. Clark; her parents, Oral and Lorene Evans; her siblings, Fred Evans, Audrey Palmer, Tess Ferguson, and Terry Evans.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Brownwod Education Foundation at www.supportbisd.com or at 2707 Southside Drive, Brownwood, Texas 76801.
Online condolences for the family are welcome at www.blaylockfuneralhome.com.