Mildred Darlene Edmisten Clonch Smith

MILDRED DARLENE EDMISTEN CLONCH SMITH hastened to join God’s Heavenly Choir January 5, 2024. Born June 19, 1940, in Wilkes County, NC, she thanked God daily that her life was so fully Blessed.

A Service in Memory of Darlene will be held Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Union Baptist Church, 4595 Union Baptist Road, Lenoir, NC. She will be interred in the Union Baptist Church cemetary.

Darlene retired as a master seamstress from Key City Furniture of the Wilkesboro’s. Her greatest work though, was a lifetime of church service through family quartets and choir participation, teaching Sunday School, assisting with Vacation Bible School, and leading and participating in Bible Study groups at Zion Hill, Mount Carmel, Mount Zion, Mountain View Baptist Churches in Wilkes County, and Union Baptist Church in Caldwell County.

She formerly held Officer positions of Secretary, Newsletter Editor, and Tri-State President in Parents Without Partners (PWP), a not-for-profit organization that helped to keep single parents of children connected with like families.  In these roles, she also led support group programs for adults navigating the challenging path of single parenthood.

Her heavenly choir includes her parents, Richard Hackett Edmisten and Ora Gladys Bullis Phillips; her stepfather, “Daddy” Fred Phillips; her siblings Jimmie Wayne Edmisten and Clara Jean Phillips; her husbands Sherman Clifton Clonch and Jara Oxford Smith; her daughter, Rita Shirlene Goforth; her grandchildren, Brian Shawn Clonch and Kayla Sheree Clonch; and several other beloved relatives and friends.

Darlene is survived by a daughter Leslie Utt (Steve) of State Road; her sons David Clonch of North Wilkesboro, Dennis Clonch of Lenoir, Eric Clonch (Melissa) of Mills River; ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. She also leaves several very dear friends and family who shared her love, laughter and delight in life. Everyone who remembers her will do so with a smile.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Darlene’s honor to the charity of your choice.

Evans Funeral Service is honored to serve the Smith Family.