The lesser known of Barbados’ super centenarians, 110-year-old Emily Clarke, has died. She passed away early yesterday morning.
Clarke was fondly remembered by her daughter Rita Neblett as a feisty woman who lived a full life.
“She was a disciplinarian,” Neblett said. “She loved her God, church and her children and helped to raise her grandchildren. She had many grandchildren and she loved them.”
Her death follows closely on that of James Sisnett on May 23. At 113 years he was the world’s second oldest man.
Clarke leaves to mourn her four children – Aubrey Clarke, Rita Neblett, Enid Clarke and Joyce King.
Granddaughter Sandra Clarke said the fact that her grandmother could reach 110 years was obviously a milestone.
“From the time I was 11 years old she kept telling me that I will not see her the next year and I am 42 years,” Clarke said.
She said that her grandmother, who was born on November 17, 1902, had been a resident of the Gordon Cummins District Hospital since July 2009.
Clarke was born Emily McClean in Foster Hall, St John, before moving to Carrington Village and then to Grazettes in St Michael. She spent some time in England with Aubrey, before moving to the United States with Joyce.
Clarke worked as a maid and was a member at the Bank Hall Church of the Nazarene.
Aubrey said that his mother was still mostly lucid, considering her age and failing health in recent times.
Meanwhile, Sisnett is due to be buried at St Luke’s Anglican churchyard in St George after a funeral service on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. A viewing and thanksgiving service will be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre at 2 p.m. on Friday. (LK)
