Judge Carole Clark expected to make full recovery, remains hospitalized with rehab expected
Published 7:09 pm Thursday, January 29, 2026
A retired Smith County judge is expected to make a full recovery after being severely injured in a car crash.
Carole Williams Clark, who retired after two decades of service to the county’s 321st district court, was hospitalized after she was badly hurt in a car crash earlier this week. Judge Clark’s husband, A.D. Clark, died in the crash.
Judge Clark has since been in a Lufkin hospital being treated for her injuries. On Thursday, family said she is expected to make a full recovery.
Louann Williams and Jenny Clark, spokespersons for the Williams and Clark families, said family members were able to travel to Lubbock on Wednesday to be with Judge Clark during this difficult time. While she is expected to recover from her injuries, she will need lengthy rehabilitation.
Judge Clark will remain at the Lubbock hospital until doctors advise she can be transferred to Tyler. At this time, doctors say no visitors are allowed.
“The families thank you for the outpouring of love and prayers and are asking for your continued prayers for Judge Clark, while respecting her dignity and need for privacy, and thank you for understanding that she can have no visitors at this point in her healing process,” the family said.
The families also thank you for your prayers as they grieve the loss of A.D Clark.
Arrangements for A.D.’s funeral will be completed at a later date.
Clark retired from the Smith County court in 2018, after 20 years of service focused on trauma-informed care and family law, working closely with Child Protective Services. Before her tenure as judge, she practiced probate and family law in private practice for 18 years in Tyler. Judge Robert Wilson was sworn in as the judge shortly after her retirement in January 2019.
A.D. Clark once served as the Smith County District Attorney. He also served in the Texas attorney general’s office.