Darlene Elizabeth Clark’s life was defined not only by the years lived, but by the love, strength, and memories she created with her family and friends. Her greatest legacy was family. Through every season of life, family remained at the heart of who she was. The strength, perseverance and faith she instilled in her family will live on and be carried from one generation to the next. The love she gave, the values she passed down and the lives she touched were her gift to all who knew her.
Darlene was born on July 6, 1942 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. She was the only child of Edward and Dorothy Power and the only grandchild of Florien and Elizabeth Gedeon. When Darlene was two years old they packed all of their belongings and headed south to Hollywood, Florida where Darlene enjoyed an ideal childhood filled with love, sand and water. Darlene excelled in swimming and as a member of her high school swim team she set numerous Florida state records in backstroke.
She married Pete Lubcker in 1963 and they moved to Ruston, Louisiana to pursue his dream of attending Louisiana Tech. They were blessed with two daughters, Kimberly Ann and Darla Elizabeth. In 1976, they moved to Tioga, Louisiana and started their own construction business. After many years together their paths eventually took them in different directions. In 1983 Darlene’s career led her to H & C Veneer Products which became Hunt Forestry Products in Pollock, Louisiana. She was a dedicated and dependable Administrative Assistant, known for her strong work ethic, organizational skills and abilities to keep everything running smoothly. All traits which she instilled in her daughters and granddaughters.
After a long courtship she married the “love of her life”, Henry “Hank” Clark. They created a beautiful home in Ball, Louisiana where they enjoyed a full life filled with grandchildren and a cherished friend, Frances “Sam” Musco. Every week Darlene visited the Rapides Parish Library in Tioga, where she indulged her love of reading. She was very strong in her faith, which helped her through many years of health issues and the loss of her dear Hank.
Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Earl Clark; parents, Edward and Dorothy Power; step granddaughter, Trisha Clark and step grandson, Joseph Bennett.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Kimberly (Billy) Bennett and Darla (Bobby) Davis; granddaughters, Haley (Cole) Simpson, Lacey (Glennon) Ruppert and Danielle Davis; stepsons, Mike (Cindy) Clark, Jerry (Linda) Clark and Tony (Gina) Clark; three great granddaughters; ten step-grandchildren; and seventeen step-great grandchildren.
Our Darlene, Mom and Grandma will be greatly missed. We were all blessed to have known and loved her, and we will forever carry on her legacy.
Family graveside service to be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be mailed to:
Texas Children’s Hospital
Office of Philanthropy, Ste. 6226
PO Box 300630
Houston, Texas 77230-0630
* Please denote Trisha Clark playroom in memo*
Donations may also be made online via https://www.texaschildrens.org. Under “Gift Designation,” there is an option to select a department or program that isn’t listed, and this is where you put Trisha Clark Playroom. Donations can also be made to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Tioga, Louisiana.