Obituary of Lena Mae Clark

Everlena Mae Dukes-Clark, also known as Lena Mae was born to the late Ben Dukes and Estella Perry-Lee on August 26, 1924, in Millen, Georgia. She was the eldest and last surviving of eight children. Lena received her education in Burkes County Georgia. She had to quit school at an early age to work to care for her family. Lena met and married the love of her life Joe Clark Sr. Through their blessed union they had thirteen children, nine boys and four girls. She was the matriarch of 5 generations. In the early sixties they relocated to New Jersey where she remained until she departed this life. Lena was a good wife and mother. She worked at several factories until her retirement. Lena received Christ as her Lord and personal Savior and remained steadfast until the Lord called her home. She was a long time member of St. Phillips Missionary Baptist Church. During her time there she served as a Deaconess, served on the Mother’s Board and was a member of the number #2 Choir. She remained faithful at her church until she was unable to attend. Lena had such a love for her family. Even though she had so many children of her own, she still managed to help raise her grandchildren. Lena loved telling her life stories to her children and grandchildren on how her life was (as they say coming up). Lena loved gardening, cooking, and teaching her girls how to bake, cook and keep a clean house. Lena enjoyed playing board games with her grandchildren her most favorite game was Sorry, and when you played with her she would tell you “after you’re finished playing with me you’re going to be sorry”! When her husband departed this life she didn’t know how she would make it, but she needed not to worry because her children was there for her every step of the way. The Lord provided for her 36 years after her husband Joe had passed. She was a very strong and determined woman. Her daughter Gloria would often say “I wish I could have moms strength”, because she never let anything hold her down. When her health began to decline her girls did team work to care for her. Her daughter-in-law Donna would often step in to assist which she appreciated her help and spending quality time with her. Lena really appreciated how her boys would assist her to travel to the different places she needed to go to. Lena was a true definition of a virtuous woman. She really took care of her family; we are really going to miss her presence here with us. She leaves to cherish her memories to the four generations she leaves behind. Her children Joe Clark Jr. (Joann), Johnnie Clark (Ruth), Mary Woods (Vandell Sr.) Gloria Thomas, Clarence Clark (Donna), Fred Clark (Vanessa), Joanne Lee (James), Kenneth Clark, James Clark (and Ruthie) and Kathleen Brown (Eric Sr.). Also her daughter-in -law Sylvia Clark; two sisters-in-law, Mattie and Willie Mae Clark. Lena has over One Hundred Grands, great grands and great, great, grand-children and a host of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 42 years Joe Clark Sr., her parents Ben Dukes and Estella Lee, three sons Leroy, Bennie and Charles Clark, her siblings (Mary and Alice Curry, Annie Mae Abrams, Ben and Willie James Dukes, John Wesley and Alfred Lee), a son-in-law Alonzo Thomas and one granddaughter Cindy Clark. Funeral services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. A walk through visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 AM to 11 AM on Wednesday, February 17th at the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, 1107 State Highway 77, Upper Deerfield Twp. Interment will be held at Gouldtown Memorial Park in Fairfield Twp. Due to current regulations associated with the Covid-19 healthcare situation, we are limited to 60 people within the funeral home at a time and the understanding and cooperation of the public is greatly appreciated. Written condolences can be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com.