Darla Billings-Clark, 60, of formerly of Carthage, passed away at 9:03 AM Tuesday, May 3, 2022, in Carthage.

 

The world will never be whole without Darla Billings-Clark. She took the fight to cancer for five years, never giving up. Her outgoing personality and positivity helped carry her through each day, always with a smile on her face.

 

Formally of Carthage and Dixon, Illinois, born in Williams, Arizona, December 2, 1961. Daughter of John and Judith Billings, married to Steve Clark on June 28, 1980. Famous for her beautiful passion and love of dogs, rivaled only by her love of her sons and grandson. Darla would like to be remembered as a wife, mother, sister, friend and daughter. She loved art, dogs, travel, cooking, to learn and to help others. Darla never met a stranger, merely a friend she didn’t know yet.

 

Amongst many things, Darla was a fierce bowler in her younger years, and a realtor since 1989. She owned and operated Fashion Accent Clothing store and operated Johnny’s Sandwich Shop in Carthage. She conquered everything she decided to try. Darla had an unparalleled imagination and skill for any project, from crafts to rehabbing homes.

 

Darla and Steve had a dream to sail the Caribbean. They pursued their goal, sold everything to begin their adventure. Darla adored the sea, and was Captain of their catamaran, named Forever. They had no idea that this name would be the Divinely perfect title to their story, shining brightly over their love of adventure and life.

 

 When Darla could not return to the sea, they purchased a “land yacht”, a 40’ class A motorhome. Home became wherever they were parked. The last 4 years were spent traveling the US and experiencing all that they could from Darla’s “bucket list”. One of her last and greatest experiences was attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, last fall.

 

Darla’s cremated ashes were joined with the ashes of her beloved rescue dogs: Jett, Jake, Jack, Jia and Jaxx. Together Forever, their ashes will be spread by her family in the three places Darla came to love: The Caribbean, amongst the trees and plants of a forest, and along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

 

 Preceded in death by her father, John Lloyd Billings and her mother-in-law, Karen Clark. 

 

Darla is survived by her husband Steve; her sons Robert Conor and John Tyler, daughters-in-law Kat and Jayne, and her grandson Tyler James, her mother Judy, her best friend and sister, Tara Perry. Delaney Billings, Morgan Perry, and multiple nieces and nephews. She is also survived by: Jeff Clark, Teri Vance, Chauntel Vance, Aunt Betty Twaddle, Deann and Gary Waddell, Dusty Waddell, Katie Becerra, and other nieces, nephews and cousins