Esmelin Clarke

With grateful hearts for her fierce love, the family of Esmelin Clarke mourn her peaceful passing on February 2, 2025, in Ocala, Florida. Born to Henry Harvey and Mehelia Dyce Harvey on May 29, 1936, in Cool Shade, Portland, Jamaica West Indies, Esmelin was destined to travel far in her search for a better life.

Her journey truly began when Esmelin met the handsome and charming Hugh Cramsie Clarke. Hugh and Esmelin shared the same deep religious fervor that informed their daily lives and while still in her late teens, Esmelin married Hugh on May 27, 1956. Until Hugh’s death in 2020, the couple spent over sixty years together in a loving marriage, working in low-paying jobs so their children could have the opportunities they never had.

In search of better opportunities, Esmelin and Hugh immigrated to the United States in 1968, landing in New York City and later became naturalized citizens. With no more than an 8th grade education, Esmelin worked as a housekeeper, factory worker and graduated from night school as a nursing assistant. After years of scrimping and saving every available dollar, they could finally afford to bring their children here in 1972. Thrift is a lesson learned and never forgotten by Esmelin.

She was a force to be reckoned with when it came to stretching a dollar, but she never skimped on the Jamaican Scotch Bonnet Pepper or curry. Esmelin’s spicy personality was a perfect complement to her richly seasoned Jamaican dishes. She loved entertaining family and even, strangers – she never met one she didn’t like – on holidays and after church on Sundays.

A tough disciplinarian, Esmelin put up with absolutely no foolishness. With six children to raise on a limited budget, she taught her children the value of a dollar and the value of a relationship with God and parental wisdom. Starting her work life as a professional seamstress in Jamaica, Esmelin was a magician who could spin a yard of fabric into not one dress, but transform it into: one dress, two skirts, one necktie, and one handkerchief. As Esmelin’s kids, it wasn’t all that fun walking down the street dressed in the same colorful floral fabric.

Gardening was another favorite hobby for Esmelin and Hugh. In 1979, the couple moved to Ocala, Florida, and bought a wonderful home with plenty of space for gardening. Hugh grew vegetables and Esmelin tended to her flower garden. When his veggies started encroaching on Esmelin’s Easter Lilies, Zinnias, or Azaleas, she would gently nudge Hugh to cut them back. Hugh’s reply was always the same, “Ms. Clarke, you can’t eat flowers, you know.”

A lifelong member of The Church of God of Prophecy, her husband was a church Deacon and Esmelin served as Church Mother, Sunday school teacher and Women’s Missionary leader. But beyond the titles given to our parents, they lived their religion in their daily tasks and rituals, including at breakfast, when they prayed out-loud the names of their children and grandchildren, and for each other. The spirit that infused their lives held their children up in the worst times, providing solid ground and modeling how to live a Godly life.

No one worked harder than Esmelin and she has the hands to prove it. When her journey in this world ended, she left exactly the way she wanted; in her beautiful flower-filled home, independent, and with her loving family in a place far from her native home, but home, just the same.

Preceding her in death are her husband Hugh Clarke, and sons Neville Williams Clarke, and Samuel Jacob Clarke (Rose). Rejoicing in her memory are her daughters Jennefer Clarke, Claudeth Henry (Cecil), Sonia Smith (Juan), and her son Dennis Clarke (Eula). Her grandsons Dave, Juan Jr., Keon, Jason, Juanté, Hugh Anthony, Chad, and Avery; her granddaughters Maxine, Charise, Cherise, Cortnei, and Tiana. 12 great grandchildren, cousins, nieces & nephews, friends, a wonderful church family, and her “favorite daughter” Carmen.

Mom, thank you for praying for us and teaching us how to pray. We will miss you dearly.