YVETTE “JENNIS” MARIE PORTLEY CLARK

Funeral services for Yvette Marie Portley Clark were held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at noon at True Vine Baptist Church with Brother Vernon Stoker, II officiating and Brother Christopher Jones as eulogist. Burial will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery in San Augustine. Family visitation and viewing was held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, at Victory Funeral Services and from 11:30 a.m. until noon on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at the church.

Yvette, affectionately known as “Jennis” to her close family and friends, was the eldest child of her siblings and was born in Longview, Texas to the parentage of Leon “Dumas” Bell and Eloise Portley on January 2, 1952. She departed this earthly stay on July 18, 2025 from Hospice of East Texas in Tyler, Texas.

 As a young girl, she was baptized, and united with Kilgore Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. T. E. George, Sr. She sang in the choir, attended Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Later retiring to San Augustine, Texas she attended True Vine Baptist Church. Upon her return to her native home of Kilgore due to declining health, she made her profession of faith, was baptized, and became a member of Harris Chapel Church of Christ under the leadership of Brother Willie Bradley, III.

Her early education was received at Elder Elementary School. She played the flute in the marching Tiger band of the last graduating class of C. B. Dansby High School in 1970 prior to full integration of Kilgore schools. Her graduation was held on a Friday night in May 1970, and being destined for big city life in Houston, Texas, she left Kilgore with her uncle, James Portley, the following morning sealing her forever position as his favorite niece.
 Once in her new city she attended Massey Business College and received her certification as a key punch operator. Fate would have it that she met the love of her life and husband, James Willie Clark, Sr. soon after arriving in Houston. A beautiful new chapter of her life began with their marriage, and the birth of two children, Youlanda and Anthony and the combining of families with the addition of James’ six children, Chandra, Cheryl, Deborah, Wendi, Vicki, and James, Jr. Their love and devotion to each other lasted for 46 years until James’ passing in 2016.
 She enjoyed attending family functions with her often taking the lead in organizing the Christmas gatherings. Having a close knit circle of friends she enjoyed gatherings to play cards, and dancing; mastering the swing-out with James on the dance floor.

She leaves to cherish her memories to a loving daughter, Youlanda Clark of Kilgore; son, Anthony Clark and his wife, Laquita of Nacogdoches; bonus daughters, Chandra Bass of Houston; Cheryl Blow and her husband, Charles of Lancaster; Deborah Flowers and her husband, Byron of Cedar Hill; Wendi Brown and her husband, Kylie of Hutchins; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; aunt, Elaine Thompson of Longview; uncle, James Roy Portley and his wife, Gladys of Houston; great-aunt, Mary Gatlin of Antioch, CA; great-uncle, Odell Davis, Muskegon, MI; brother, Kim Ray Geter and his wife, Regina of Kilgore; sisters, De’Lores P. Arline, and Eleanor Stoker and her husband, Vernon, II; of all of Longview; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

Arrangements are under the direction of Victory Funeral Services of Kilgore.