March 28, 2011

“Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and trumpets.” — 1 Chronicles 13:8 (NKJV)

Essie Mae Clark, 92, the last sibling of her family, departed this earthly life on Monday, March 28, 2011, at Nansemond Pointe Health Care Center. She was a native of Nansemond County (Suffolk), Va., and the daughter of the late David and Johnnie Octavia Eure Clark. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Hosie Clark, Raymond Clark, Malachi Clark, Naomi C. Pittman and Leola Clark.

Ms. Clark graduated from the Jordan School and in 2009 she was recognized as one of the oldest graduates of the school. She worked in the housekeeping department of the former Leggett Department Store and retired after 18 years of dedicated service.

Ms. Clark was widely known as an organist for many local churches in the Suffolk and surrounding areas. She was the organist and musician for T.E. Cooke Funeral Home for many years.

She was a devoted and active member of Metropolitan Baptist Church until her health began to fail.

She is survived by a devoted cousin and caregiver, Marion B. Wright, of Suffolk; two nieces, Janet L. Johnson, of Washington, D.C., and Susan M. Taylor (James A.), of Upper Marlboro, Md.; six first cousins, Mary Duncan, of Brooklyn, N.Y., Allie B. Colbert, of Brooklyn, N.Y., Joseph T. Bemory, of Irvington, N.J., Joyce Eure Butler, of Trenton, N.J., Carol B. Diggs (Rev. Henry E.), of Portsmouth, Va., and Janice B. Howell (Donald), of Suffolk, Va.; a very special friend of the family, Dr. George Skena, of Virginia Beach, Va.; and many grand- and great-grand-nieces and -nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Ms. Clark will be on view Thursday, March 31 from noon to 7 p.m. in the Rev. Melvin R. Boone chapel of the funeral home. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, April 1, at 1 p.m., at Metropolitan Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Robert Hobbs, pastor. She will be laid to rest at Carver Memorial Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy, cards of condolence and flowers may be extended to the family at www.cookeovertonfuneralhome.com.