Chief Master Sergeant Gloria Francis Clark
Left us January 26, 2007 in Norman Oklahoma at the VA Residential Center. She served her nation by enlisting in the United States Air Force 1965. She was trained in Information Management/Communications. She was the first of two females to join the Rhode Island Air National Guard and was the first female full time technician. She moved to Oklahoma when she married Sergeant Bill Clark stationed at Tinker AFB in 1982 and subsequently joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard. She served as a Disaster Preparedness NCOIC in Civil Engineering. She was the first female in the Oklahoma City Air National Guard promoted to Chief Master Sergeant as the Services Superintendent of the 137th Communication Squadron. Chief Clark retired in 2001 from the State Headquarters of the Oklahoma Air National Guard where she was the first Human Resource Advisor to the state’s Adjutant General.
Chief Clark was a Charter Member of the Women’s Memorial and Women In Military Service for America Foundation. She helped launch a Joint Contingent of 100 Army and Air Guard Women to march in the opening ceremonies of the Dedication of the WIMSA Memorial. She was also a Charter Member and devoted supporter of the Women Veterans Organization of Oklahoma. Her tireless efforts were spent in helping her sisters in arms.
She was a devoted Mother of two young ladies, Tracy, who followed her into military service in the New York Air National Guard. She has just returned from a deployment in Iraq. Her youngest daughter, Krystal is in law enforcement in Oklahoma. Both girls were with their mother when she
The Chief was one of America’s Daughters who served her nation for over 30 years in military uniform and 38 years as an Air Force Civil Service Employee at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. She left us Monday, January 26 after being stricken with Cancer. Lori was 61 years young! Her legacy of “firsts” and her service stands as a beacon to every citizen of our nation that WOMEN ARE VETERANS TOO!
Submitted by:
Rita Aragon, Maj Gen
Air National Guard Assistant to
Deputy Chief of Staff Air Force
Manpower and Personnel
Leona Bell
Leona Bell passed away August 26, 2006. Leona was a 1st Lt in the US Army Nurse Corps serving during World War II. She served admirably from September 15, 1942 until January 22, 1946. During her three plus years in the Army, Leona was stationed in North Africa and Sicily with the 21st General Hospital. While stationed overseas she was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service. When asked about her most memorable experience in the Army Nurse Corps she talked of caring for the burn patients after a US ship exploded in the Bari Harbor of Italy. After the war, Leona returned to St. Louis and continued to serve America and veterans as a nurse with the VA Hospital. Leona joined The American Legion and St. Louis Service Women's Post 404 fifty-two years ago. She served in several capacities within Post 404 but most notabley as the Commander from 1985 to 1986.
Charlotte Victoria Dudek,
75, passed away February 23, 2005 in Blue Eye, Missouri. A Veteran, she served with the W.A.C. in Europe, and was a member of American Legion Post #919, and an advocate of recognizing women veterans nationwide with her involvement the Branson Veterans Task Force and November Veterans Homecoming Week activities. She organized women veterans’ participation annually in the Veterans Day Parade, hosted a registration area for women veterans at various events throughout the year, and represented women veterans proudly at community events. She was also past president of the Chicago, IL Sweet Adeline’s.
Retired from Chicago Board of Education and last taught at Schurz H.S.
and Tuley H.S., in 1988. Daughter of the late Pearl Kuderka (Dudek); beloved sister of the late Sophie Keebler, Joseph Dudek and Dolores Prislinger; cherished aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Mary (Nickie) Davis Stokesberry
Nicki was also known at "Red". Carrot red hair, a mouth like a sailor and someone who could make you laugh and laugh. She was loved and admired by her friends and wasn't afraid to take challenges.
Born in Bicknell Indiana she will be missed by her husband Bob, sons Brett and Brian and her dear friend Mary Gillespie Slivka. Nicki and Mary were in Boot Camp and Corps School together and shared many stories later in life with they got together . Thier friendship lasted forty one years.
