Lovena Clark

A memorial service for Lovena Clark is scheduled for Monday, March 21, 2011, 2:00 pm, at First United Methodist Church in Roswell, NM. Those in attendance are encouraged to wear bright colors to commemorate Lovena’s love for flowers. Lovena Ethel Clark passed away on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. "Venice" or "Vene" as she was also known by her family and friends was welcomed into the arms of God on a bright sunny afternoon with her family by her side. Lovena was born in Elliott County, Kentucky on May 10, 1925 to J.E. and Myrtel Waggoner Rice. At the age of 17, Lovena married her first husband, Thomas Paul Hay, on December 19, 1942 in Springfield, Ohio. In September of 1943 they were blessed with a son, Jim. The Hay family moved to New Mexico for the sake of Thomas's health. He passed away on November 28, 1954 leaving Lovena with a young son to provide for. Lovena worked for the Roswell Police Department as a meter maid in the early 1950's. 'Venice' and her co-workers would frequent a little cafe' on third street called, Jeans, for their lunch and coffee breaks. It was here that she became acquainted with her second husband George Clark. They were married on December 2, 1960. In November 1961 they were blessed with a son, Burney Joe. In 1964 they would lose a son in infancy. During their married life Lovena helped George with his arcade business. They supplied many establishments in the area with pool tables, jukeboxes, and pinball & arcade games. In addition to this, she also spent many years babysitting in her home. Lovena had a great love of flowers and working in her yard and garden. Every spring and summer her front yard would greet you with a profusion of blooms overflowing with color. She spent many hours over the years tending her flowers and was always sad when the outdoor growing season ended. In addition to her flowers she grew, she also planted many seeds of love with her family and friends. She loved all her grandchildren dearly and always showed great interest in their lives and their accomplishments. People would meet her once and take an instant liking to her. She was a very cheerful lady who had a great spirit for fun and enjoyed the simple things in life. Lovena was also a wonderful cook and spent many hours satisfying appetites with her 'down home' cooking style. One of her families’ best memories will be of eating Mexican food at her table every Christmas Eve. Those left behind to cherish her memory are her son Burney and wife Vicki of Roswell and their children Anne and Thomas Clark both of Roswell; grandsons Chris Hay and wife Suzy and their daughter Jayme Sue of Manhattan, KS and Wes Hay and wife Julie and their children Kaitlyn, Aubrey, and James Wesley Hay, and Aidan Ryan all of Dallas, TX; sister Juanita Felton of Chattanooga, TN; daughter-in-law Betty Hay Jackson and husband Larry of Kearney, NE; sister-in-law Millie Hurley of Bellville, TX; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins in the Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas areas. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband; her infant son and her son Jim Hay; brothers James Rice, William Rice, and Kenneth Rice; sisters Elsie Rice Howard, Eula Hampton, Mabel Rice Jones, and Leatta Belle Rice. The family would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their efforts in the recent care of Lovena: Dr.Reynaldo Martinez & Staff, Comfort Keepers Staff, Casa Maria Staff, Nurses & Other health care staff at E.N.M.M.C., Roswell Home Care, and hospice. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Ministry of your choice at First United Methodist Church in Roswell, NM: Silver Chords, Heaven Connection Youth Choir, The Nurture Committee, or Cowboybell Scholarship Fund. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and memories with the family in the online register book at andersonbethany.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

Lovena Clark

May 10, 1925 - March 16, 2011