Paulene Yancey Clarkson, 97, a long-time resident of Chandler, Oklahoma, passed away on Monday morning, February 16, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Paulene was born on January 29, 1929, in Chandler to James Eli and Anna Matilda Louise (Hopkins) Yancey. She attended a one-room schoolhouse in Chandler, often riding her beloved horse, “Ginger,” to school. After graduating from Chandler High School, Paulene attended Central State University, where she earned her teaching degree, proudly becoming the first woman in her family to graduate from college. Following college, Paulene traveled to the Panama Canal Zone, where she taught school before later returning to Oklahoma to teach fourth grade for Pauls Valley Public Schools.

On July 5, 1953, Paulene married Carroll E. Clarkson in Chandler. In 1957, after the birth of their son, Binkley, she retired from teaching to devote herself fully to her family as a homemaker. In the early years of their marriage, Paulene and Carroll made their home in The Village Oklahoma City while tending to the farm on weekends. In 1997, they began building their forever home in Chandler where the old homestead stood, enjoyed working side by side, officially retiring to Chandler in 1999 followed by their son and grandchildren next door. As Carroll’s “right-hand man”, Paulene helped raise cattle, took pride in mowing, journalling and weather forecasting especially during alfalfa season. She was a great conversationalist and made every person she met a lifelong friend, keeping those friendships through letters and frequent phone calls. She was an active woman who was always on the move and faithfully walked a mile each day proving people in motion stay in motion well into her 80s in the pasture with cattle. She and Carroll bowled together in a league in The Village, and she loved listening to music, watching The Lawrence Welk Show, and especially enjoyed the musicians at Midlothian Church. An avid traveler, Paulene treasured her annual trips to Branson and was proud to have visited 49 of the 50 states. Above all, Paulene remained a woman of deep and abiding faith which sustained her through every season of life.

Paulene was preceded in death by her parents, James and Anna Yancey; her husband of 65 years, Carroll Clarkson; a son, Binkley Clarkson; and a sister, Mae Crittenton.

She is survived by grandchildren, Tyler Clarkson and Lacey (Clarkson) Johnson; great-grandchildren, Piper Johnson and Wilder Johnson; nieces and nephews, RayeAnne Crittenton, Lorri Crittenton, Peggie Rimer, and James Crittenton and his wife, Anita; as well as a host of great-nephews and great-nieces; other extended family members and friends.