Marian Jean Clemens' Obituary
Marian Jean Clemens, 89, of Dallas Texas, born August 28, 1934, to James Cooper (Jimmy) Howell and Janette Howell, passed away on Wednesday December 27, 2023.
She was married on March 24, 1951, in Dallas to the love of her life, Wayne. They were high school sweethearts at North Dallas High School where she was a majorette and he was the drum major. They had been married for 72 years and were inseparable. Dad and Mom loved to travel. They took many trips to Europe and cruises in the Caribbean, but they loved Hawaii the best. They were members at Canyon Creek Country Club where they had many friends and loved to play tennis and golf.
Mom’s favorite thing was spending time with family and friends. Sunday dinners at their home are one of the things that we will miss most. Jean’s home cooking could not be beat, and she always urged you to have seconds, which we usually did. Sunday dinners were always our time to catch up on what everyone was up to. Mom particularly loved hearing anything about her grandchildren. She had a wonderful friend group that were her extended family. They played bridge, went on trips, and made weekly visits to their favorite restaurants. She cherished all those moments.
Jean was an adoring mom and grandmother, never interfering, but always there when she was needed, like the time she and Wayne drove to pick up her grandson Jaden at 4:00am when his parents were incapacitated with a stomach virus. Or all the times she baited the kids’ hooks for fishing at the lake. She had a strength and wisdom that she imparted to her family without judgment. She was the center of our family, and we will not be the same without her.
Jean had a quick wit, charming everyone she met. Up to the very end, she was cracking jokes and endearing herself to her caretakers, who called her their favorite. Though her last months were difficult, she never gave up, showing the same spirit and indomitable will she had exhibited her whole life.
Jean is preceded in death by her husband Wayne. She is survived by her children Vicki Kanaly and Guy Clemens, daughter-in-law Dena Mathis, Sisters Rita Brown and Annette Woodruff, grandchildren, Jaden Clemens, Kourtney Little, and Kamden Kanaly, brother-in-law Carl Brown, nieces and nephews and their spouses, Doug Woodruff and Dominique Bartoughian, Tim and Amber Woodruff, Brandon and Jennifer Brown, and Karla and Steven Arranda, Pam Lackey, Mark, Dean, and Evan Clemens and a host of grand nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at the Restland Wildwood Chapel on Friday, January 5th at 2:00 p.m.
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