Anita Clark

Anita “Joan” McElhaney Clark, 91 years old, passed from this earth into the loving arms of Jesus on November 30, 2021.  Joan was born in Ardmore, OK, on December 15, 1929, to Fay (Hughes) and Earl McElhaney.  She grew up in Wynnewood, OK, and graduated from Wynnewood High School.  She attended Oklahoma A and M University where she met her husband, Durwood R. Clark.  They were married on June 6, 1948, and had three children: R. Joe Clark (Annette Bartlett), Vicki Clark Carver (Andy), and Clay Clark (Beverly).  After stops in Oklahoma City, Santa Fe, Lubbock, Marietta, GA, Joan and Durwood settled in Bartlesville, OK, in 1953.  Durwood worked for Phillips Petroleum Company and Joan first worked as a book keeper for Hillcrest Drug.  She then took a position in the District Attorney’s office and found fulfillment in that job for many years.  She was appointed to the Foster Care Review Board of Washington County (Bartlesville) where she became an influential advocate and voice for foster children.  Joan was an active member of First Baptist Church in Bartlesville where she was a strong woman of faith, she walked the Christian walk, was a student of the Bible, and was a fierce prayer warrior.  Joan was a loving and devoted wife, sister, mother, and “grandmommy”. She shared Durwood’s dream of having a Christ centered family and she poured herself into helping her children accomplish their goals.  Joan received satisfaction and fulfillment as she helped sustain the family farm in Bartlesville. Joan moved to Wichita Falls, TX, in 2005, to be closer to family.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents Fay (Hughes) and Earl McElhaney, her parents–in-law, Jessie and Richard Clark, her husband of 49 years Durwood R. Clark, her daughter Vicki Clark Carver, and one brother, Wayman McElhaney.

Those left to cherish her memory include one brother, Jim McElhaney of Farmington, NM, a son R. Joe Clark (Annette Bartlett) of Marana, AZ, a son Clay Clark (Beverly) of Wichita Falls, TX, a son-in-law Andy Carver, a former daughter-in-law, Sarah, eight grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.

Joan spent the last nearly eleven years in the House of Hope, Wichita Falls, TX, where she was fighting Alzheimer’s Disease.  She fought with courage, grace, dignity, humor, and toughness.  A memorial service in Bartlesville, OK, is scheduled for Saturday, February 19, 2022, at 11 am at Arnold Moore Neekamp Funeral Home.  Interment at Memorial Park Cemetery will precede the service.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the loving and supportive staff at the House of Hope.