On Monday, July 14, 2025, Althea Viola Clark, 70 years of age, found peace
and went to be with her heavenly father. Althea was born on August 28, 1954
in Wichita, Kansas to the late James M. Smith, Sr. and Ella Mae Smith. She
was one of eleven children. Althea accepted Christ at a young age and was a
member of Grove Heights Seventh Day Adventist Church.
She attended Wichita public schools and graduated from Heights High School
in Wichita, KS, class of 1972. She attended Wichita State University where she
was a disc jockey for KMUW radio. She later attended Northwood University
in Dallas, Tx and graduated with a degree in Business Administration. Althea
graduated with honors, Cum Laude, and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa
honor society. Althea had a career at Southwestern Bell Co. AT&T spanning
25 years.
Althea was united in holy matrimony to William R. Clark on June 2, 1973. To
this union, two children were born, Crystal A. Clark and Sterling L. Clark.
Althea was an outspoken lady with a contagious smile who was devoted to her
family and friends. Her favorite things to do were spending quality time with
her family, gardening, socializing, and bible study.
She is preceded in death by her son, Sterling L. Clark, her parents, James M.
Smith, Sr. and Ella Mae Smith; grandparents, Theodore and Ina Marie Jones,
M.T. Smith, and Mable Ganther; siblings, David Smith and Jodi Sutton; and
her nephew, Derrick J. Smith.
She leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, Crystal A. Clark of Wichita,
Kansas; grandchildren, Sterling Jordan Clark and LaKendra A. Clark both of
Dallas, Texas; great-grandchildren, Zuri Johnson and Keith Johnson of Dallas,
Texas; seven sisters, Teresa (Rocky) Herman of Little Rock, Arkansas; Doreen
(Joe) Smith-Adkins, Ina Vanarsdale, Sara Smith, Linda Frazier, Brenda (Lynn)
Jones, and America McLean, all of Wichita, Kansas; one brother, James
(Bonita) Smith, Jr. of Denver, Colorado; and a host of nieces, nephews, other
relatives, friends and loved ones. She will be deeply missed.