Annibel Blay Clarke

Annibel Gurley Blay Clarke was born on May 23, 1957 in Harper, Maryland County, on a Thursday afternoon at 2pm. She was born into the union of T. Oliver Blay Sr. and Annie D. Blay. Her early education started at the G.W. Payne kindergarten school. After Kindergarten, she enrolled at the Monrovia Demonstration elementary school. Upon graduation from Demonstration, She attended Ricks Institute for two years (7th grade, 8th grade). She later enrolled in The College of West Africa High School and graduated from CWA in1976.She attended the University of Liberia, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 1981. After graduation, she was employed at the Agricultural Development Bank of Liberia where she worked for ten years until the civil war.

She married her elementary school sweetheart, Stephen D. Clarke Jr, in October 1982 at the First United Methodist Church of Liberia. The twelve year union was blessed with two children, Stephanie Daniellette Clarke-Brooks and Stephen Daniel Clarke Jr. Annibel moved to the United States in 1994, where she worked as a Certified Nurse’s Aide for 18 years. She and her boss, Christian Barthol became really good friends. Here in Texas, she was an active member of the Liberian Community and faithfully attended and hosted events.

In 2006, she met her only Grandchild, Isaiah Christopher Lee Brooks. That same year she was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. The doctor’s only expected her to live 2 years after the diagnoses, but she fought for 8 years after the diagnoses to see her children graduate from High school and College.

Annibel was known for her sweet and feisty spirit. She knew how to have a good time and she knew when to step in and shut it down. Annibel loved to cook. She organized family gatherings and cooked for them. She loved to sing. She was an active member of the Junior Choir at the First United Methodist Church. At the University of Liberia, she was an active member of the University of Liberia Chorus under the direction of Agnes Nebo Von Ballmoos. She sang Soprano. She was a strong Soprano who was relied upon many solo parts. After she was married, she joined the St. Thomas Episcopal Church where she was also an active member of the choir and other organizations.

Annibel leaves to mourn her mother, Annie D. Wilson Blay, three children: Stephanie Clarke-Brooks, Stephen D. Clarke Jr, and Fonatee Michele Blay; grandson, Isaiah Christopher Lee Brooks; five brothers: T. Oliver Blay Jr. (Iris), George W. Blay (Olive), Owen W. Blay, Christopher W. Blay, and James H. Blay; four sisters, Wanda C. Blay, Lucille M. Wilson, Mary F. Blay, and Sally W. Wilson; uncle, Abraham Kla Wilson (Effie); aunt, Agnes Wilson; brother and sister in laws: Gladys Clarke-Turkett, Isaac Clarke (Josephine); her best friend, Tina M. Reeves and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends in the United States and the Republic of Liberia.