
07/24/2025
Mrs. Yvette “Jennis” Marie Portley Clark
Funeral services for Yvette Marie Portley Clark will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at noon at True Vine Baptist Church, 702 Ironosa Road, San Augustine, Texas, with Brother Vernon Stoker, II officiating and Brother Christopher Jones as eulogist. Burial will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery in San Augustine. Arrangements are under the direction of Victory Funeral Services of Kilgore, Texas.
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 before 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.
Her grandmother, Lillie Chitman, grandfather, James Portley, father, Leon Bell, mother, Eloise Portley Geter, aunts, Tessie Portley Morrow and Joyce Ann Watts, step-son, James “BooBoo” Clark, Jr., step-daughter, Vicki Clark, granddaughter, VinShera Holman, son-in-law, Robert Brachett, first cousins, James Oliver Portley, Carl Thompson, Lelia Thompson, and Edward Earl Thompson all preceded her in death.
She leaves to cherish her memories to a loving daughter, Youlanda Clark of Kilgore, TX; son, Anthony Clark and his wife, Laquita of Nacogdoches, TX; bonus daughters, Chandra Bass of Houston, TX; Cheryl Blow and her husband, Charles of Lancaster, TX; Deborah Flowers and her husband, Byron of Cedar Hill, TX; Wendi Brown and her husband, Kylie of Hutchins, TX; grandchildren, Alexus Pleasant, Keynnon Madlock, D’vysee’ Garrett, Adejha Clark, Avarion Clark and Ashton Clark; two great-grandchildren, Jacosky Robertson, Jr. and Isaiah Anthony Garrett; aunt, Elaine Thompson of Longview, TX; uncle, James Roy Portley and his wife, Gladys of Houston, TX; great-aunt, Mary Gatlin of Antioch, CA; great-uncle, Odell Davis, Muskegon, MI; brother, Kim Ray Geter and his wife, Regina of Kilgore, TX; sisters, De’Lores P. Arline, and Eleanor Stoker and her husband, Vernon, II; of all of Longview, TX; nieces, Dr. Stephanie Coleman-Newton of Waxahachie, TX; Brittney Stoker of Longview, TX; and Remigia Bates of Frisco, TX; nephew, Vernon Calvin Stoker, III; first cousins, Arronda Michelle Hardeman, Houston, TX; Linda Gale Thompson and Loretta Rena Thompson both of Longview, TX; sister-in-law, Velma Clark-Buckner of Houston, TX; brother-in-law, Clifford Clark of Lufkin, TX; best friend, Freddie Holmes of Houston, TX; many other relatives and friends.
Family visitation and viewing will be 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.