Yvonne L. Clark-Smith's Obituary
Yvonne (DeDe) Louise Clark-Smith was born on Dec. 22, 1946 at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland, Calif. to Vivian and Luis Chambers.
The first of two children, Yvonne grew up in Berkeley, Calif. with her brother Jimmie Chambers, who preceded her in death. She attended Berkley High School and later went on to Laney College where she took up African dance and volleyball.
She landed a role at BART working as a transportation clerk for 33 years before retiring.
Yvonne was an active member of GLIDE Memorial Church in San Francisco where she sang alto for the GLIDE Ensemble and worked with the children’s ministry for more than 20 years. She also sang with Oakland’s Love Center Community praise choir for over a decade.
Yvonne loved spending time with her grandchildren and was actively involved in everything they did, whether it was volunteering at her granddaughter’s school or attending her grandson’s sporting events where she happily and loudly cheered him on. She loved watching them succeed and always gave them words of encouragement, never allowing them to give up, and telling them to always keep trying, even when it got hard.
Outside of her immediate family, Yvonne touched many lives. She was like a mother to many and was extremely giving, always opening her door to those in need without asking for anything in return.
In her leisure, Yvonne could often be found first to the dance floor, bringing laughs and joy to everyone surrounding her at any event she attended.
Yvonne departed this earth on Nov. 20, 2016 at 4:15pm in Alamo, Calif. surrounded by close family and friends. She was 69 years old.
Yvonne is survived by four children: Lavelle Clark, DonAndre Clark, Ebony-Lee Clark-Smith and Brandy Lee Clark-Smith; three grandchildren: Lavelle Clark Jr., DonAndre Clark II and Ryan Elizabeth Nicolas; her niece Angela Hennessy; and a host of cousins, relatives and friends.
Yvonne (DeDe) Louise Clark-Smith was born on Dec. 22, 1946 at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland, Calif. to Vivian and Luis Chambers.
The first of two children, Yvonne grew up in Berkeley, Calif. with her brother Jimmie Chambers, who preceded her in death. She attended Berkley High School and later went on to Laney College where she took up African dance and volleyball.
She landed a role at BART working as a transportation clerk for 33 years before retiring.
Yvonne was an active member of GLIDE Memorial Church in San Francisco where she sang alto for the GLIDE Ensemble and worked with the children’s ministry for more than 20 years. She also sang with Oakland’s Love Center Community praise choir for over a decade.
Yvonne loved spending time with her grandchildren and was actively involved in everything they did, whether it was volunteering at her granddaughter’s school or attending her grandson’s sporting events where she happily and loudly cheered him on. She loved watching them succeed and always gave them words of encouragement, never allowing them to give up, and telling them to always keep trying, even when it got hard.
Outside of her immediate family, Yvonne touched many lives. She was like a mother to many and was extremely giving, always opening her door to those in need without asking for anything in return.
In her leisure, Yvonne could often be found first to the dance floor, bringing laughs and joy to everyone surrounding her at any event she attended.
Yvonne departed this earth on Nov. 20, 2016 at 4:15pm in Alamo, Calif. surrounded by close family and friends. She was 69 years old.
Yvonne is survived by four children: Lavelle Clark, DonAndre Clark, Ebony-Lee Clark-Smith and Brandy Lee Clark-Smith; three grandchildren: Lavelle Clark Jr., DonAndre Clark II and Ryan Elizabeth Nicolas; her niece Angela Hennessy; and a host of cousins, relatives and friends.
Social Celebration open to all family, friends and coworkers of Yvonne located at Liege Spirits Lounge 481 9th Street, Oakland CA 94607 at 5:30pm. Dec 4, 2016
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