Lillian F. (Pat) (Smith) Clark

Our beloved Mom, Lillian Fern Smith (Pat) Clark, passed away peacefully, on May 26, 2019. Born October 24,1925 in Los Angeles to parents Charles Franklin Smith and Fern Nelson Smith, her mother insisted on the name Lillian while her father preferred the name Patsy. Baptized Lillian, she was called Patsy until childhood friends began to call her Pat.
She graduated from North Hollywood High School in 1943 and married her high school sweetheart, Richard (Dick) Laroy Clark on May 30, 1946. Pat worked at Paramount Studios, in the wardrobe department, with many famous actors from the big silver screen of that era. She regaled us with interesting stories and good-natured “gossip” from her stint at Paramount. She and Dick raised three boys in California and developed many friendships.
Outside of work, she pursued social and work avenues for special needs children and adults and was instrumental in establishing the Adult Retarded Citizens (ARC) organization of Ventura County, CA. In 1971, Pat and Dick relocated the family to Longview, TX. It wasn’t long before Pat became involved in the Community and worked to establish the Mental Health and Mental Retardation (MHMR) program, a similar organization to ARC. Pat eventually relocated to Georgetown, TX in 2007, where Ron and his wife and children and grandchildren lived after leaving CA.
She and Gary resided at the Mariposa Apartment Complex. She soon made many friends and enjoyed socializing and playing cards and other table games with her new friends. In her later years, she enjoyed a happy and content life with friends and family close by.
Pat is survived by her three beloved sons; Gary Clark of Hutto, TX, Ronald (Judy) Clark of Hutto, TX and Richard (Patrice) Clark of New Britain, CT. She also leaves her only nephew Michael Smith of Carrollton, TX, who she considered a fourth son, as well as her beloved grandchildren Bryan, Ron, Timothy, Heidi, Jessica, Tommy, Andrea, Alexandra and Joshua, and (20) great grandchildren. Pat was predeceased by her husband, Richard, and her brother and best friend, Charles (Bud) Smith.
Funeral services will be held at Welch Funeral Home in Longview, TX on June 15th, 2019 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations, in Pat’s memory, to ARC of Gregg County, Longview, TX.