Mavis E. Clarke

Mavis E Clarke blessed this world with her presence on May 20, 1936. She received her promotion to heaven on March 1, 2016. Mavis was known to many by many names: Sis, Babs, Momsie, Mom, Auntie Babs, Auntie Babsie, Grandma Babs, Goddie, Grandma, Mama Mavis, Miss Mavis, Sweet Pea, Gorgeous, Princess, My Beloved and My Heart. She loved passionately and was loved passionately in return. Among those who loved her were: her siblings: Dalbert, Leslie, Rupert, Daphne and Clancy; her sister-in-laws: Edith and Ruby; her sister-friend and confidante Doxylene; her children by choice: Myrtle, Leslie, Euclin, Myken, Paulet and Devon; her son-in-law: David; her nieces and nephews: Vallin, Byron, Dale, Glen, Joy, Jackie, Janice, Karen, Claudette, Christine, Carol, and Trecia; her grandchildren: Tony, Kathleen and Angel; her great grands: Bryce and Lamar; Her Godsons: Colin, Michael J. and Jonathon; Her Goddaughter Michelle; her longtime friends: Cherry & Junior, Aquilar & Frank, Julie & Felix, Hyacinth, Vida and Kerinth; Sheryll, Alphanso and Micheal R: and a host of other family and friends.

Mavis was born and raised in Jamaica. It was there she met the love of her life, Ferdinand Clarke. She left Jamaica to live in Canada for a short while before relocating to New York where she married Ferdie in June 1969. Together they worked hard and saved harder which allowed them to enjoy life to the fullest. Their favorite past times included: attending operas, Broadway plays, baseball games and traveling the world. They lived a very happy and contented life together until Ferdie was promoted to heaven on April 2, 1985.

Mavis loved to travel. Throughout her lifetime, her travels included: Canada, England, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Switzerland and many Caribbean countries. She worked for many years as an Administrative Assistant with the telephone company in both New York and Florida. She loved flowers and gardening. Her favorite quiet time activities included completing word find puzzles and reading God’s Word, the Bible.

Mavis has said the most important decision she ever made in her life occurred on December 24th, 1977, the day she accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of her life and her personal Savior. Once saved, she sought to be “the hands and feet of Jesus.” She served faithfully in her church homes of Abundant Life (1978-2000) and Christian Life Center (2000-2016). Her ministry activities throughout the years included: prayer team, preschool and the women’s ministries. Her favorite act of service in the House of her Lord was cleaning the church. She was a faithful supporter of missions at home and abroad. She would constantly say: “I may not be able to go, but my money can support those who can!”

Mavis’ desire was to leave a legacy that survived beyond the termination of her days here on earth. She was a caring and compassionate individual who sought to substantively impact those in her direct sphere of influence and beyond. She sought by action and deed to be a reflection of God’s light on a daily basis. She gave of herself lavishly and of her finances freely to help those she loved and those in need. She left her legacy…an indelible mark on the lives of those she touched.

Mavis’ personal mission was to share her faith and her Jesus with everyone she met. Even the message on her voicemail would remind all to “keep your heart on Jesus.” In her final days, she stated her greatest desire was that the people she loved and knew would make a personal commitment to see her again. How can we see her again? When we make the decision to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and the Lord of our life we can be confident that we will see her again. Let us make the decision now to see our Beloved Mavis again!