Zona E. Clark

Zona Earl (Poff) Clark was born on October 15, 1943, in Lubbock, Texas, to Roger and Ima Poff. Lubbock was always home to Zona, and her faith and community were central to her life. In 1949, her parents and paternal grandparents became charter members of Forrest Heights Methodist Church, a place Zona would faithfully call her church home for the rest of her life. She was a devoted member of the Wesley Sunday School Class, where she found fellowship, laughter, and lifelong friendships.

As a young girl, Zona was active in Girl Scouts, an experience that shaped her love of service and friendship. Those bonds lasted a lifetime, and she continued to enjoy monthly lunches with her fellow Scouts well into adulthood.

Zona graduated from Monterey High School in 1962 and began her working life as a long-distance operator with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Later, she became the welcoming face of the Lubbock Women’s Club, serving for many years as receptionist and greeting everyone with kindness and a warm smile.

On February 26, 1966, Zona married the love of her life, Robert Clark, at Forrest Heights Methodist Church. Together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and adventure, raising their two sons, Tim and Craig. Zona and Robert loved to travel, often journeying with friends from their Sunday School class. Whether traveling by plane, train, automobile, Trailering, cruise ship, or bus, they embraced every adventure and treasured the memories made along the way.

Of all her roles, Zona’s favorite was being a grandmother. Known lovingly as “Granna,” she poured her heart into her six grandchildren and delighted in every moment spent with them.

Zona had a creative spirit and a generous heart. She loved crafts, especially quilting, and was recognized with several awards for her beautiful work in cross-stitching, tatting, and quilting. Her greatest joy came from giving to others, most notably through the 87 quilts she lovingly made and donated to the Linus Project—each one a gift of warmth, comfort, and love.

Zona was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert. She is survived by her sons, Tim Clark and wife Rachel, and Craig Clark; her sister, Bette Koen and husband Bob; her brother, Johnny Poff and wife Susan; and her cherished grandchildren, Callie Alton and husband Stetson, Zoie, Travis, Joseph, and Tori.

Zona will be remembered for her kindness, her creativity, her devotion to family and faith, and the quiet, generous ways she cared for others. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, an organization that remained close to Zona’s heart throughout her life.