Janet Wilkins Clark departed this early life on August 18, 2026. Janet was born November 30, 1956 in Rockford, Illinois. She was the ninth of eleven children born to Jake and Bessie Mae Wilkins. Raised in Rockford, Janet graduated from Rockford West High School, class of 1974. She attended Northern Illinois University, Rockford College and Rock Valley College. Janet was a member of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. In 1978, Janet began working at Woodward Governor as an inspector. 10 years later, she became a Reliability Test Technician. She was employed at Woodward for 32 years. On October 20, 2010, Janet married Billy Ray Clark and moved to Camden, Arkansas. While in Camden she was employed at Lockheed Martin as an Inspector. After 11 years of marriage, she lost her husband to cancer in December of 2021. Janet retired and returned to Rockford in 2022 to be near family. Janet became a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. In 2023, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Every day was a gift from God that she enjoyed to the fullest. She fought a courageous battle and lived her best life.

Janet leaves to cherish the love, laughter, life and many memories to her daughter, Janessa (Quanny) Neal, grand-daughter Jazelle Neal, two nieces she raised after the death of their mother, Valerie (Zay) Crowley and Jessica Hues; brother, James Wilkins; sister Josephine Wilkins; sister in law Estella Clark and Ada Milton; cousins Nellie Cox and Jacqueline Charles; sister cousins Mildred Flynn and Debra Hayes; best friend of 55 years Elizabeth Brown; a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband Billy, parents Jake and Bessie; 5 brothers Jake Jr., Joe, Jerry, Jesse and John; 3 sisters Mary, Rosie and Justine; best friend of 65 years and worlds best godmother Donna Bedford.

Services will be held 12:00 noon Thursday, August 27, 2026 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church 404 Avon St. Burial in Willwood Burial Park. Doors will be open from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. No Viewing will be held.