In loving memory of Darlene Clark

Words from Steve Byrum:

We learned yesterday of the passing of Darlene Clark from her long and valiant battle with cancer. Darlene passed a bit after 5pm on Easter Sunday surrounded by her close family. 

Darlene contributed immensely to the work of the Institute, serving a long tenure as a key administrator of our activities.   

She was extremely well-skilled in the use of the assessment, and her work in the 1990s led to the exceptional work done with the tool at the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System in Houston.  Darlene held both an undergraduate and seminary degree, and across most of her working career was a key leader in training and development for Continental Airlines. 

She was co-president of Values Partners in Athens, Texas, a suburb of Dallas.

Darlene is survived by her husband, Lynn, and two adult children, Eric and Abby.  She was much beloved by her friends and colleagues. 

Darlene's kind and caring spirit, along with her quick intelligence, will be remembered with great fondness.

Darlene Wolfe Clark Obituary

Darlene Wolfe Clark, age 79, was born on January 21, 1947, in Dallas, Texas, and passed away in Athens, Texas, on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026. She was comforted in her final days by her family and her devoted husband, Lynn Clark.

A loving wife, mother, and “Grammy,” Darlene lived a life centered around faith, family, and caring for others. Born to Duward and Mattie Wolfe, she grew up in Garland, Texas, where she remained a proud Garland Owl. A true daddy’s girl, Darlene cherished mowing the yard alongside her father before sitting down to enjoy her mother’s unforgettable home cooking. She graduated from Garland High School, where she was a baton twirler in the Drill Team, and later attended Baylor University before completing her Bachelor’s in Education at the University of North Texas.

In 1984, Darlene married the love of her life, Lynn R. Clark, and together they built a beautiful blended family—one they nurtured, cherished, and supported throughout all the years to follow. Though they spent most of their married life in Houston, retirement brought them to Athens, Texas, to be near Darlene’s parents. There, she and Lynn embraced quiet country living, ending many evenings on their back porch feeding the deer.

Darlene began her professional life as a junior high school English and Speech teacher, sharing her love of books with her students. She later transitioned into the corporate world, working with System One and EDS before retiring as a Human Resources Director for Continental Airlines. Never one to sit still for long, she continued her passion for helping others by founding Value Partners Consulting LLC, where she and Lynn provided coaching and leadership development to companies using the Hartman Value Profile. Her work touched countless lives, both professionally and personally.

Of all her accomplishments, Darlene’s greatest devotion was to her special needs daughter, Abby, whom she loved, protected, and championed every single day. Her steadfast care and unconditional love were the truest expressions of who she was. Darlene was a charter member of the Parents of Children with Down Syndrome of Houston organization. In partnership with this group, she lobbied Texas legislators in Austin to pass one of the first large funding bills supporting Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation’s program for early childhood stimulation.

Darlene is survived by her husband of 42 years, Lynn Clark; her children Heather (Clark) Roberts and husband Bryan, and their children Keely and Braydan; Abby VanDuivendyk; Erik VanDuivendyk and wife Stacy, and their children Chase and Kyndal; and Angela Clark and her children Stuart, Karmyn, and Isaiah. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Janell Bateman and Judith Wolfe, along with many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Duward and Mattie Wolfe, her brother Jerry Wolfe, and sister-in-law Kay Hoffman.

Funeral services will be held in the Chapel at Autry’s Carroll Lehr Funeral Home in Athens, Texas, on Friday, April 17th at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Thursday, April 16th from 5:00–7:00 p.m.

A Celebration of Darlene’s Life will be held in the Houston area at a later date with details to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that, if desired, donations be made in Darlene’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, Unity of Houston, or a charity of your choice.