Jonell Clark

Mrs. Jonell (Hairston) Clark, aged 90, of Tecumseh, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2026. She was born on May 4, 1935 in Hondo, Texas. She was the beloved daughter of Amos and Nettie (Runnels) Hairston. Jonell lived an abundant life of almost 91 years. Her life was a reflection of the goodness of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ which she reflected to everyone she loved. She was the youngest child in a family of 9 children and survived diphtheria at the age of 3 years old. She often shared stories of growing up enjoying a simple life with her siblings in rural areas of Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma. Her parents were hard working people and dedicated everything they had to taking care of their children. This practice of caring for others was a foundation that Jonell carried into her adult life. At the age of 15 she met her husband of 70 years, Roy Dale Clark, at a church pie supper when Roy bought her pie. Roy and Jonell were married 5 years later on June 24, 1955. They had three children Susan Diane, Steven Dale, and Cynthia Lanell. Jonell was very proud of her children and was known for having multiple family portraits all around her home. Roy and Jonell built their home in Tecumseh, Oklahoma in 1965. Shortly after this, Jonell started her nursing career by graduating from Shawnee Gordon Cooper Tech. Her love of taking care of others made her an excellent nurse, especially to the elderly to whom she dedicated many years of service as a nurse at nursing homes in the Shawnee area. Jonell loved to spoil her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was blessed with 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Jonell enjoyed giving gifts and made Christmas and birthdays extra special. She knew everyone’s favorite meals and desserts and made sure they were on the table at family dinners. Jonell was deeply loved in return by those she cared for. While grief is heavy, it exists because the love and joy shared for Jonell is so great; the love and joy experienced on this earth is but a glimpse of the perfected love we will experience in heaven. There can be gratitude for the gift of grief and the promise of heaven where Jonell is living and rejoicing in the perfected love of Christ. Jonell was preceded in death by her parents, Amos and Nettie Hairston; her siblings, Cecil Hairston, Margie (Hairston) Smith, Lois Hairston, Murray Hairston, Mason Hairston, Orville Hairston, Heartha (Hairston) Adams, and Edna (Hairston) Hendrix. She is survived by her husband, Roy Clark; her children and their spouses, Susan and Tom Moore, Steven and Marie Clark, and Cindy and David R. Bradley; her grandchildren and their spouses, Garret and Taylor Moore, Grant Moore, Jessica and Joel Gaylor, Ben and Melissa Clark, Stephen and Gina Bradley, and Andrew and Caitlyn Bradley; her great-grandchildren, Liberty, Magnolia, Abel, Lily, Phoebe, Graham, Hattie, Lilah, and Claira; and her sister, Clarise Marshall; as well as many other family members and friends. The life of Jonell shows God’s promise in Philippians 1:6, “And I am certain that God, who began a good work in you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day of Christ Jesus.” The care Jonell showed others continues to point people to the example and love of Christ even when she is no longer with us on earth. The family would love for you to join them in honoring Jonell by continuing her legacy in the ways she showed Christ’s love and cared for others: make someone their favorite meal, send someone a card, give someone a gift, or call someone on the phone to visit with them about their day. The family would like to thank everyone who has sent condolences and prayers, our beloved Susan Moore for the 24-7 care she gave to her mother, her First Baptist Church Tecumseh family for their commitment to loving the senior members of their church, the loving care of Heartland Hospice, and most especially the staff of Brookdale Senior Living for loving Jonell and giving her dedicated, wonderful care for the last 3 years. A visitation will be held Thursday May 14th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home in Shawnee, Oklahoma. A service to honor the life of Jonell Clark will be held at First Baptist Church in Tecumseh, Oklahoma on May 15th at 2:00 p.m.