Obituary for Mother Ernestine Oliver Clark
Mother Ernestine Oliver Clark of Port Salerno, FL went home to be with the Lord in the comfort of her home and in the presence of her family. Her husband Deacon James Elliott Clark, Sr. was just laid to rest on Saturday, December 9, 2023.
On Friday, December 13, 1935, in the quaint town of Girard, Georgia, a part of the Augusta metropolitan area, Abbie and Mose Oliver, Sr. gave birth to Ernestine. The fourth born out of 15, the second eldest girl, *Ernest* as she would be affectionately known, was a bright and bold personality. From a very early age, Ernestine was set apart, as a responsible, nurturing, caring, generous, disciplinary.
Ernestine, from her inception, radiated a stern but loving presence. This consistent personality, over the years, was her badge of honor; in which nearly everyone who interacted with her, would come to respect about her. She received her early education in Burke County School District.
Growing up with the uncompromising values of family and work, Ernestine worked tirelessly in the hospitality industry as a housekeeper, cook, and companion; notably working for the Aycock Family of Martin County, Florida. In 1952, she married her lifelong partner and soulmate, James E. Clark, Sr., in which they upheld their sacred Union for 71 Years. In 1958, Ernestine and her family relocated to Port Salerno, Florida, where she raised all her children, and made the beloved New Monrovia Community her permanent residence. In her community, she intentionally engaged being a steward of it*s preservation by being a founding member of the Concerned Citizens of New Monrovia (Community Development Board), a proud member, and the Mother, of City Church (formerly Bethlehem Baptist Church), Grandmother (Caregiver/Mentor) is her children, Pastor Sylvia Clark Taylor and James W. Clark (Renee); children-of-the-heart, Rev. Melva Wilson (Deacon Alex), Albert Oliver, Jr., and Dr. Beverly Johnson; her grandchildren, Victor Clark, Kenesha Clark, Kiandra Clark-Gilliam (Jason), Edward Clark (Denise), Angelica Clark, Jazmin Clark, Jayme Clark, Janell Clark, Kareem Chivers (Kemba), Nicholas Chivers (Natasha), James Carter, Jr., and Ricardo Weaver, Jr.; 10 great-grandchildren; her siblings, James Oliver, Abraham Oliver (Pat), Geneva Houston, Barbara Stringer, Apostle Abbie Knight (Keith), and Joe Louis Oliver; her brother in-law, Kenneth Clark; god-children, Doris Newkirk, Willie Newkirk, and Lenore Newkirk-Leonard; special friends, Mother Lois Newkirk, Margaret Patton, Pricilla Minnis, and Rev. Wendy McGahee-Solomon; her phenomenal caretaker, Solonge Louis; and her loving church family, City Church, Stuart, Florida.
On Friday, December 13, 1935, in the quaint town of Girard, Georgia, a part of the Augusta metropolitan area, Abbie and Mose Oliver, Sr. gave birth to Ernestine. The fourth born out of 15, the second eldest girl, *Ernest* as she would be affectionately known, was a bright and bold personality. From a very early age, Ernestine was set apart, as a responsible, nurturing, caring, generous, disciplinary.
Ernestine, from her inception, radiated a stern but loving presence. This consistent personality, over the years, was her badge of honor; in which nearly everyone who interacted with her, would come to respect about her. She received her early education in Burke County School District.
Growing up with the uncompromising values of family and work, Ernestine worked tirelessly in the hospitality industry as a housekeeper, cook, and companion; notably working for the Aycock Family of Martin County, Florida. In 1952, she married her lifelong partner and soulmate, James E. Clark, Sr., in which they upheld their sacred Union for 71 Years. In 1958, Ernestine and her family relocated to Port Salerno, Florida, where she raised all her children, and made the beloved New Monrovia Community her permanent residence. In her community, she intentionally engaged being a steward of it*s preservation by being a founding member of the Concerned Citizens of New Monrovia (Community Development Board), a proud member, and the Mother, of City Church (formerly Bethlehem Baptist Church), Grandmother (Caregiver/Mentor) is her children, Pastor Sylvia Clark Taylor and James W. Clark (Renee); children-of-the-heart, Rev. Melva Wilson (Deacon Alex), Albert Oliver, Jr., and Dr. Beverly Johnson; her grandchildren, Victor Clark, Kenesha Clark, Kiandra Clark-Gilliam (Jason), Edward Clark (Denise), Angelica Clark, Jazmin Clark, Jayme Clark, Janell Clark, Kareem Chivers (Kemba), Nicholas Chivers (Natasha), James Carter, Jr., and Ricardo Weaver, Jr.; 10 great-grandchildren; her siblings, James Oliver, Abraham Oliver (Pat), Geneva Houston, Barbara Stringer, Apostle Abbie Knight (Keith), and Joe Louis Oliver; her brother in-law, Kenneth Clark; god-children, Doris Newkirk, Willie Newkirk, and Lenore Newkirk-Leonard; special friends, Mother Lois Newkirk, Margaret Patton, Pricilla Minnis, and Rev. Wendy McGahee-Solomon; her phenomenal caretaker, Solonge Louis; and her loving church family, City Church, Stuart, Florida.