Monica M. Clarke

,Monica Mineta Clarke was born on March 2, 1938 in Hanover Parish, Jamaica, West Indies, to parents William and Emilia Justina Lewis who preceded her in death. Ms. Clarke was the youngest of seven children; Ivy Martin, Margaret Hughes, Ismond Lewis, Adolphus Lewis, Roxy Lewis and Eldon Lewis, who all preceded her in passing.

Ms. Clarke married the love of her life, Percival Clark, who also preceded her in passing. In Jamaica Ms. Clarke gave birth to four boys and three girls. She supported herself and her family by working as a conductress in Jamaica’s public transit industry, she worked a server, and also worked in Jamaica’s hotel hospitality industry. At about the age of 46 Monica made the bold and courageous move to relocate to the United States. When she arrived in Los Angeles she continued her passion for the hospitality industry by working at the prestigious Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. She worked at the Bonaventure for several years before retiring.

Ms. Clarke loved her children and loved her family and friends but nothing could surpass her love of God. Upon moving to Los Angeles she joined First Evangelical Church where she passionately and diligently served the Lord until she was physically unable to do so. Each Sunday, Monica would prepare food in her own kitchen for the congregation of First Evangelical. She asked for nothing in return. She did this from the heart and for the love of the Lord. She knew that one day her own blessings would come from God.

Monica indeed had a passion for cooking. She loved to cook for her family and friends on special days, holidays or just any old day. She had a reputation that stretched from Jamaica to the United States for preparing the best red beans and rice, jerk chicken, curry chicken, stewed chicken, curry goat and other delicious meals. It was nothing to witness a parade of family members and friends march through her living room on a Sunday afternoon to pick up a plate. Fortunately, many of her mouth watering secrets and recipes have been passed down to some of her children.

Ms. Clarke had a special love for her grandchildren; speaking of which she has many. She loved watching them, baby sitting, and taking care of her grandkids. Her grandkids knew how special she was because they loved her back with just as much passion. They loved being around her. Just as much as she loved them, she would always give them stern instructions like “brush your teeth” …. “wash your face good” and “stay out of grown folks business”. She loved to see the hair of her grandsons neatly cut and groomed.

Many of you may not know that Monica loved shopping. She loved shopping with her friend Myrna…for anything…for clothes, food, you name it. Her other great love was for sports. If you didn’t know how much she loved the Lakers you probably didn’t know Ms. Clarke very well. She also loved the Dodgers and the USC Trojans. She had no problems with Trojan fans crowding her street for USC football games.

Ms. Clarke was truly a one of a kind human being. She was a kind, unselfish, caring, and a thoughtful soul that loved everyone and everyone loved her. Even her doctors had a special relationship with her beyond just the normal doctor/patient relationship. They truly enjoyed Ms. Clark.

She will be missed dearly by her seven children who are:

Delton Hughes and wife Angela, of Corona, California;

Randy Clarke of Montego Bay, Jamaica;

Caswell Clarke and wife Patricia, of Fontana, California;

Sharon Clarke of North Hollywood, California;

Anthony Clarke and wife Dee, of Ontario, California;

Delaine Clarke of San Bernardino, California; and

Michelle Clark of Las Vegas, Nevada; including

21 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She will also be deeply missed by Jerome Hardiman, Jabari Asberry and James Eugene Nobles, Esq.

Ms. Clarke will be especially missed by her dear nephews Alexander “Chris” Martin, Emmanuel “Rodney” Lewis, Joel Lewis, Jerry Lewis and Barry Lewis; her dear nieces Beryl Lewis, Beverly Lewis, Naomi Lewis, Cassidy Lewis, Valerie Lewis and Lorna Robinson. A host of other nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends across the United States and Jamaica are left to cherish the very special memories of Monica Mineta Clarke.

Repast,

following the services for Ms. Clarke at:

1301 North Rancho Avenue

Colton, CA 92324