Tonya Roberta Clark

She attended Headstart at tender age of 3. Then she continued her schooling by attending P.S. 183, JH180, and Murry Bergtruam High School. She got a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland University College, two Masters of Science from Nova SouthEastern University, one in Mental Health Counseling and the other in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. She was pursuing a doctoral degree of Philosophy in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Before joining the Navy, she was a bank teller at The Greater New York Savings bank. Then a clerk/typist at The Social Security Administration. She entered the military December 16, 1985, right after graduating from high school and she retired June 30, 2008. She was a Navy Veteran. She was a retired Senior Chief. She served almost 23 years in the Navy. Early in her career, she realized that the Navy was where she wanted to be. Unbeknownst to her, she was following in her grandfather’s footsteps. The Navy gave her the luxury of traveling around the world. In Hawaii, she was on the Pearl Harbor naval station from 2000-2003. Then she was stationed on the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk in Yokosuka, Japan from 2003-2005. She was a PC clerk and a Manpower/Maintenance Administrator LPO. Then she was a System Administrator in the navy and then a Maintenance Administrator LCPO. Later in her career, she was an Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Chief Petty Officer. Before retiring she was an Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Senior Chief Petty Officer.

Born June 24, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York at Kings County hospital, she was the loving daughter of Jacqueline Clark Benjamin and Robert L. Campbell Jr. Granddaughter of Frances O. Clark, Ernest Charles (step-grandfather), Jerome Andrews, and Essie Mae Thompson Campbell Strickland and Robert L. Campbell Sr. She was the sister of Shannon Clark (Lakeisha), Steven Clark Sr., and Laquan Benjamin Sr. Tonya was the loving and caring mother of Mercedes Clark. Aunt of Shanenon, Keyshaun, Tiana, Shakiel, Laquan Jr., Shammel, Taquan, Laila, Nevaeh, Naleni, Lauren, and Steven Jr. She was the niece of Francine Charles, Beatrice Arzu (Everille), Jerome Charles, and Brenza Clark. Cousin of Natheil, Nalerton, Travis, Jammel, and Trina. Tonya grew up in Rockaway Beach, New York. She was beautiful, gracious, caring, and loving. Ever since a young age, Tonya showed interest in school. Her grandmother on her father’s side gave her a dictionary when she was young that she cherished her whole life. She was a life-long learner. She lived, laughed, and loved. She had the biggest smile. It’s like she had a light around her, everyone wanted to be near her. Many people wanted her advice, and she graciously gave it to them. She loved to say that love was not unkind. She loved to cook, read, travel, and do genealogical work on the family (family research). She wanted to know more about her family lineage. She loved her family. She was a family historian. She loved road trips. She could not wait to get in the car and travel somewhere. Her favorite author was Eric Jerome Dickey. She loved listening to Prince and watching Purple Rain. Her favorite flowers were sunflowers. She loved the fall and the way the leaves changed. She will be missed by many.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents on her mother’s side, Frances O. Clark, Ernest Charles (step-grandfather), and Jerome Andrews. She was also preceded in death by her father Robert L. Campbell Jr., as well as her grandparents on her father’s side, Essie Mae Thompson, Campbell, Strickland, and Robert L. Campbell Sr.

Surviving Tonya is her mother Jacqueline Clark Benjamin, brothers Shannon Clark, Steven Clark Sr., and Laquan Benjamin Sr., her sister-in-law Lakeisha Saunders Clark, her daughter Mercedes Clark, aunts Beatrice Arzu, Francine Charles, and Brenza Clark, an uncle, Jerome Charles, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of other family members.

A catered reception is planned at 11:00am on Tuesday November 30, 2021, at 2849 MiddleBrook Dr. Clemmons, NC 27012. A dinner is planned after the service at 5835 Executive Center Dr. Charlotte NC 28212.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.frankvoglerandsonsclemmons.com for the Clark family.