Mother Mary S. Jones Clarke

Mrs. Mary S. Jones Clarke was born on January 6, 1923 in Pinehurst, Georgia to a Baptist deacon and deaconess, the late Deacon James Jones, and the late Deaconess Pocahontas (Solomon) Jones. During her formative childhood years, Mary attended elementary school in Dooly County, Georgia. She continued her education and graduated high school through Central City College in Macon Georgia which was, in general, a primary and secondary school for its first few decades and subsequently added a college department. The college was owned by African American Baptists in Georgia and was ultimately named Georgia Baptist College from which Mary graduated high school at the age of twelve from the high school department. She furthered her education at Fort Valley State College (now Fort Valley State University) in Fort Valley, Georgia finishing in 1939. She received an honorary Master's degree from The James Dussault University - Ekklesia School of Ministry with the confirmation of the Degree, Master of Christian Education. She began her career teaching in several counties in Georgia including Cook County Public Schools (Adel, Georgia) and was later employed at several jobs, ending her work life at the VA (Veterans' Administration Hospital in Gainesville, Florida) where she retired. She was the first African American office worker at Shands Hospital Clinic in Gainesville and was the first African American worker to have her own office at the VA Medical Center. When she retired she was Chief of Prosthetics at the VA. Mary joined and was baptized in the Evergreen Baptist Church, Pinehurst, Georgia at an early age. Her love of the Lord saw her serve in various churches including Evergreen Baptist Church (Pinehurst, Georgia) and Spring Hill Missionary Baptist Church (Gainesville, Florida) during her life. She was the senior class Sunday school teacher at Spring Hill Missionary Baptist Church. In addition, while at Springhill she served as church mother, deaconess, president of home mission society, church historian, and president of Jerusalem women's convention. Moreover, other than being an excellent teacher for public schools and church schools, Mary was blessed with a special talent, which was her gift as a Cook/Chef. Not only could she prepare delicious meals in times of plenty, but also prepared meals that were both delectable and beautifully gourmet, from whatever could be found in a kitchen with no gourmet ingredients. As a Christian and a child of God, Mrs. Clarke shared Bible knowledge with many others. She departed this life on Monday October 2, 2023 in Brandon, Florida. Her daughter, Dr. Deborah DeSylvia Clarke-Phillips, preceded her in death. Mrs. Mary J. Clarke leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her heartwarming and everlasting memories: daughter Bettina Gayle Clarke Bryant (Ezzard, Sr.) of Valrico, FL, as well as children that she loves with her late husband Ernest in their family: Alphonso Clarke, Chester, PA, Carlos Clarke (Dimitri), Denver, Colorado, Carolyn Clarke, Macon, GA, along with a host of grand children, great grand children, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends who will miss her.

Tributes

Mother Mary S. Jones Clarke

January 6, 1923 - October 2, 2023