Juanita Clark

"in memory of a mother"

"We remember thee in this solemn hour, our dear mother. We remember the days when thou didst dwell on earth, and thy tender love watched over us like a guardian angel. Thou has gone from us, but the bond which unites our souls can never be severed; thine image lives in our hearts. May the merciful Father reward thee for the faithfulness and kindness thou hast ever shown us; may He lift up the light of his countenance upon thee and grant thee eternal peace! Amen."

Our mother died Friday evening, on the fifth of June, during - but, not because of the COVID19 Pandemic of 2020. All of our lives are different now. We want to first thank all the good medical Nurses and Doctors who came out to care for the elderly in their homes. She was blessed to have you there.

Born Juanita Jones - four score and eight years ago - in Brooklyn, New York - on the third day of April, 1932 - to Esperanza Rodriguez Jones, her mother - the strength of her life, always and James Philip Jones II, her father - the love of her life, heart of Gold to everyone. She had two younger brothers, both now deceased. Philip, who was born on the same day, a year later and, Carlos, called Cookie, who recently passed. She has one younger sister, Dearest Corrinne. God Bless.

Nita as she was called, remembered Snow White as the first movie her Daddy ever took her to see. During the Depression they'd go to the movies all day for a nickel. A Classic Movie and TV fan, she also enjoyed music and old radio - WNEW, books, Scrabble, puzzles and painting. She remembered the days of WWII and writing letters to the soldiers as a student in school. She loved to learn and was a lifelong student, always taking her children and grandchildren to Museums, Libraries and cultural events.

Her merits in Education include, graduating from Franklin K. Lane, H.S. The first in her family to go on to College. She worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and IBM, where their motto "THINK" was always displayed. From the American Medical Records Association, she got her accreditation as a Medical Records Technician. Which led to a successful career as a Medical Librarian/Assistant Director of Medical Records at two Brooklyn Hospitals. She completed her college education with a B.A. from Brooklyn College. Later, she got her Masters Degree in Education from Long Island University Brooklyn, which led to her last career as a Fourth Grade Teacher at P.S. 241. Where she went to school with her beloved granddaughter, Lori in tow everyday. Lori went home to God in 2011. Nita missed her everyday. As do all of us.

On March 13, 1953 Juanita Jones of Brooklyn married Oliver Clark of Brooklyn, as it states on their Marriage Card, stamped by Holy Trinity Baptist Church, Brooklyn. Oliver was an intelligent, good looking, complicated man - no easy spirit. They had four children. Charisse L. Watterson, the eldest, most cared for, a former Flight Attendant for Eastern Airlines, Mother of four - attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Charisse recently spent 21 days in the hospital caregiving her Mom. Brett J. Clark, the #1 son, shone ever brightly in her heart, former Model/Photographer and Businessman - attended Brooklyn College. Kendra 0. Moore, the baby, who was most like her and raised by Nita as a single working mother - a Teacher, Mother of two, Graduate of Morgan State University and Masters Degree in Education. And, Valerie M. Clark, the second, always there, her Caregiver and former Pan Am Flight Attendant went to Hunter College CUNY. Nita and Oily stayed married, but after two and half decades living together, they separated for the rest of their lives. Oliver passed in March 2018. Nita loved him. Her husband.

Both were long time members of Concord Baptist Church, when it was the second largest Baptist congregation in America, pastored by the late Reverend Dr. Gardner C. Taylor. After the separation, Juanita was a non- attending member, though she always felt it was her church home. She found solace in her childhood friend and sister in spirit, Pastor Maria D. Lites, the beautiful Leader and co-founder of The Unbroken Chain Fellowship. Mary, as Nita called her was always a phone call away with Prayers and Spiritual guidance for our entire Family. She was very close to Esther, as Nita's mother was called and their families knew one another for generations. Beloved and Devoted to All. Amen.

The people she leaves to mourn her are missing one of the great ones. She was loving. And kind. And giving. Smart. Beautiful. Hardworking. A good Wife and Mother and Sibling and Sister-in-law and Aunt and Mother-in-law and Grandmother and Great Grandmother and Friend and Colleague and Teacher and every title she held. A Lady. Thank you so much for all you did for us! We LOVE You So Much!!

She Loved: her children and her grandchildren: Lance, Lori and Lenny - who assisted in her caregiving, Leslie, Cody and Brea; great-grands: Cheniya and Justin. sons-in-law: Brian Moore, (the late) Clifford Watterson and Steven Peacock., Lenox Wharwood and Lori's LaVar Bates; her grands-in-law, Lauren, Cynthia Brownley and Delicia; her nieces and nephews: Linda, Julie, (the late) Patricia, Pamela, Carol, Kelvin, Philip, Craig, Andrea, Beth, and most specially Angela, Crystal, her children and their late parents, Mary and Philip Jones. Beloved Cookie and dear sister-in-law, Evangeline Jones. Late Virginia and Richard Clark. Brother in law John and sister Corrinne Simmons. Her close cousins, Monsita and her late beloved Tony Ayala and family from Puerto Rico/St Croix. Cousins, Billy Potter, Barbara Tucker, Delores Wildy and Virginia Arrington. Everyone's Families. Dear friends, Phyllis Johnson, Bennie Durden, the late Maria Gallop, Iona Bullock - who never failed to send a Christmas card for over 50 years, and Viola Jeffries, her maid of honor and best girlfriend. Close colleagues, Patricia Demmitt, Sylvia, Elizabeth Verasammy, and Audrey Hodsden.

Her father wrote this poem to Juanita –

on the back she wrote - "Daddy Jones 1943"

To My Valentine

My first Born she is 12 years old. But more precious than the finest gold.

There's no words why I love her so. She's the sweetest girl you'd want to know.

And as I write this little Rhyme of mine. I know you'll always be my Valentine. God Bless

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.