Obituary for Debbie Jan Clark (Porter)
Debbie Jan Clark, 71, of Canadian, Texas, passed peacefully from this life into eternal rest Monday, May 30, 2022, at the Hemphill County Hospital. She was born one of twelve children to E.F. “Buster” and Loretta Porter on March 26, 1951in Canadian.
As a native of Canadian, she attended schools and was baptized at the First Christian Church of Canadian to which she continued her relationship with the Lord for the remainder of her days. During her senior year of high school, she was awarded the title of Basketball Queen before graduating with the class of ‘69’. Shortly after graduation, she married her high school sweetheart and soulmate, Roger Clark, on October 22, 1969, in Canadian. Roger enlisted into the military and the two began their life, moving to Florida for a stint then to Oklahoma City. Not wanting to raise their children in the city, they moved back to Canadian to be their forever home.
Debbie took her role as housewife and mom very seriously which was evident through her spotless house, wonderfully cooked meals, and timeless dedication to both children as well as Roger. It wasn’t until after the kids left the nest to attend college that Debbie went to work. She waitressed at Bobbie’s County Kitchen for 12 years to help pay for college, but mostly to fill the void of no kids at home to care for. She also found an interest in collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia to help occupy her mind. Roger and Debbie had talked about, saved for, and anticipated traveling together; however, due to her falling ill, travel plans and destinations remained a dream.
It's very fitting that her favorite color would be vivid red since she was such a vibrant, bubbly, humorous and even quiet ornery individual! She was definitely full of spice, loved life to the fullest and had an infectious laugh that would brighten anyone’s day. Her presence will be missed by all who knew and loved her, especially her beloved Roger, who penned the following words for her:
Me to You
When you get there before I do.
Please wait up for me.
I’ll be there when my time is through.
But I don’t know how long that will be.
So until then, remember this-
I’ve loved knowing you & loving you for the last 52 years!
Love, Me
Date of obituary photo is winter of 1972
Those who have preceded her in death are her parents, E.F. and Loretta Porter; four brothers, George “Bugger” Perrin, Jim Bill Porter, Bobby Porter, Mike Porter; three sisters, Donna Hamel, Peggy Miller, Diane Hornsby and a brother-in-law, Brandon Back.
Debbie is survived by her husband, Roger Clark of Canadian; son, Roger Duane Clark and wife Kristy Goodwin of Hendersonville, TN; daughter, Cynthia Diane “Cindy” Clark of Leander, TX; four sisters, Ida Swanson and husband Tom of Guthrie, OK, Mary Jo Languel and husband Gerald of Guthrie, OK, Marcia Back of Laverne, OK, Polly Chaffin and Jim of Canadian; brother-in-law, Jack Hamel of Flippin, AR; sister-in-law, Brenda Perrin of Canadian; two grandchildren, Garrett and Hannah Clark of Hendersonville, TN and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
For those who wish to honor Debbie through a donation, the family suggests they be made to the Hemphill County Hospice, 1020 S. 4th Street, Canadian, TX 79014, ATTN: Hemphill County Hospice or to your favorite charity.
Per Debbie’s wishes, there will be no services. The family has entrusted the cremation care of their loved one to Winegeart Funeral Home.
As a native of Canadian, she attended schools and was baptized at the First Christian Church of Canadian to which she continued her relationship with the Lord for the remainder of her days. During her senior year of high school, she was awarded the title of Basketball Queen before graduating with the class of ‘69’. Shortly after graduation, she married her high school sweetheart and soulmate, Roger Clark, on October 22, 1969, in Canadian. Roger enlisted into the military and the two began their life, moving to Florida for a stint then to Oklahoma City. Not wanting to raise their children in the city, they moved back to Canadian to be their forever home.
Debbie took her role as housewife and mom very seriously which was evident through her spotless house, wonderfully cooked meals, and timeless dedication to both children as well as Roger. It wasn’t until after the kids left the nest to attend college that Debbie went to work. She waitressed at Bobbie’s County Kitchen for 12 years to help pay for college, but mostly to fill the void of no kids at home to care for. She also found an interest in collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia to help occupy her mind. Roger and Debbie had talked about, saved for, and anticipated traveling together; however, due to her falling ill, travel plans and destinations remained a dream.
It's very fitting that her favorite color would be vivid red since she was such a vibrant, bubbly, humorous and even quiet ornery individual! She was definitely full of spice, loved life to the fullest and had an infectious laugh that would brighten anyone’s day. Her presence will be missed by all who knew and loved her, especially her beloved Roger, who penned the following words for her:
Me to You
When you get there before I do.
Please wait up for me.
I’ll be there when my time is through.
But I don’t know how long that will be.
So until then, remember this-
I’ve loved knowing you & loving you for the last 52 years!
Love, Me
Date of obituary photo is winter of 1972
Those who have preceded her in death are her parents, E.F. and Loretta Porter; four brothers, George “Bugger” Perrin, Jim Bill Porter, Bobby Porter, Mike Porter; three sisters, Donna Hamel, Peggy Miller, Diane Hornsby and a brother-in-law, Brandon Back.
Debbie is survived by her husband, Roger Clark of Canadian; son, Roger Duane Clark and wife Kristy Goodwin of Hendersonville, TN; daughter, Cynthia Diane “Cindy” Clark of Leander, TX; four sisters, Ida Swanson and husband Tom of Guthrie, OK, Mary Jo Languel and husband Gerald of Guthrie, OK, Marcia Back of Laverne, OK, Polly Chaffin and Jim of Canadian; brother-in-law, Jack Hamel of Flippin, AR; sister-in-law, Brenda Perrin of Canadian; two grandchildren, Garrett and Hannah Clark of Hendersonville, TN and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
For those who wish to honor Debbie through a donation, the family suggests they be made to the Hemphill County Hospice, 1020 S. 4th Street, Canadian, TX 79014, ATTN: Hemphill County Hospice or to your favorite charity.
Per Debbie’s wishes, there will be no services. The family has entrusted the cremation care of their loved one to Winegeart Funeral Home.