Janet C. Clark

Smile Smile, though your heart is aching Smile, even though it's breaking When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by If you smile through your fear and sorrow Smile and maybe tomorrow You'll see the sun come shining through, for you. Light up your face with gladness Hide every trace of sadness Although a tear may be ever so near That's the time you must keep on trying Smile, what's the use in crying You'll find that life is still worthwhile If you just smile. Janet Carol Tyree Clark, 59, of Oak Hill, WV passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, June 25, 2008, after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Born May 18, 1949, she was the daughter of the late Dallas Ross Tyree and Carol Betty Fritz Tyree of Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. After graduating from The Western College for Women and subsequently obtaining her teaching certificate, Janet moved to West Virginia and taught for 30 years in the Fayette County school system. During this time she earned a Masters degree from West Virginia University. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Oak Hill. Janet had many talents and interests, including a great love for music. She was a member of her church choir and the Fayetteville Community Chorus. She was an avid reader and belonged to two book discussion groups. Janet loved nature and enjoyed camping and walks in the woods. She derived great joy from simple things-a colorful leaf, a bird's song, the smell of lavender. Like her mother before her, Janet had a passion for flower gardening, pouring generous amounts of love and sweat into her gardens. She was a member of two garden clubs and created many beautiful wreaths and arrangements using the dried flowers from her gardens. Janet's greatest gift was her love and compassion for all people. She gave generously to charities and worked locally to help those in need. Indeed, she unselfishly put others' needs before her own. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother. Janet greeted friends and strangers alike with her warm, beautiful smile. Especially in her final days, Janet's friends and family drew much comfort from this reassuring smile. Janet was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Mike, of Oak Hill; sons, Adam Ross Clark of Shepherdstown and John Owen Clark of Summersville; brothers Jeffrey Tyree of Bradenton, Florida and Stephen Tyree, his wife Ellen, and their children Dylan, Evan, and Dallas, all of Stillwater, Pennsylvania. Janet's family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Rajiv Khanna and the staff at Raleigh Regional Cancer Center, as well as to all the caring folks with Hospice of Southern West Virginia. Finally, we give thanks for all the wonderful friends who have loved and supported us in these difficult times. A celebration of Janet's life will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church of Oak Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802. Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, WV