Lucille R. Clarke

Mrs. Lucille Ryles Clarke, widow of William Robert Clarke, the love of her life, entered eternal rest on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at Southside Regional Medical Center in Petersburg, Va. Born at 848 E. Bank St. in the historic Blandford community, she returned there in her later years and remained until her death. She proudly noted that her grandparents, Levi and Rosa Jones Brooks, bought the property in 1911 and she worked tirelessly to assure that the property would remain in the family.
Mrs. Clarke was born NoV. 9, 1921 to the late Hezekiah and Josephine Brooks Ryles. She was the eldest of two siblings, Edward Ryles and Mary Elizabeth Ryles Lewis, who predeceased her. She was also predeceased by her great-nephew, Kyree Elijah Lewis.
Mrs. Clarke attended public school in Petersburg but her studies were interrupted when she left school to care for her father who had fallen ill from a stroke. When his health stabilized, with her mother's permission, she moved to New York at the age of 16 to secure employment. She immediately found employment as a secretary/bookkeeper at a dentist office and remained in New York until she returned to Petersburg at the age of 21 to bury her father. With the exception of another brief stay in New York in the 1950s, she remained in Petersburg the rest of her life. She remained devoted to the Blandford community and was a member of the "village" who mentored, coached, developed and raised its precious jewels – its youth. Although she did not complete high school, she recognized the importance of education and was a proud graduate of Jones Beauty School, located on the campus of what is now Virginia State University. She went on to perfect her skills by becoming the first African-American expert hair colorist in the Virginia and the first African-American hair stylist at Polly's Hair Salon in Colonial Heights, Va., where she was employed from 1953-1983.
Mrs. Clarke was a member of Bethany Baptist Church until she joined Friendship Congregational Church of God in Christ in 1961. She remained a faithful member of Friendship until her death and served as a missionary, financial treasurer, Mother of the Church and evangelist. She also pastored for eight years and brought many souls to Christ through her ministry.
Mrs. Clarke was a woman of many talents. She was lucid, sharp and focused until just a few hours before her death. Amazing wit, no-nonsense, and a feminist before the word entered our lexicon, she was devoted to family, friends and the Blandford community. She was an artist who continued to paint until her death. Her memoir, written many years ago, detailed her struggles and triumphs of being the lone African-American stylist at Polly's Hair Salon. A songwriter, philosopher and civil rights activist before it had a name, she rejoiced when she voted for the first time and cast her vote for the first African-American president, Barack Obama. She was fiercely independent and kept up with current events until the end.
Mrs. Clarke is survived by six nieces and nephews who she assisted in raising and loved unconditionally: Robert Lewis (Lena), Edward Lee Lewis (Iretha), of Petersburg, Va.; Eva Lewis Liggins of Largo, Md. and DeSoto, Texas; Earl Lewis (Patricia) of Chester, Va.; Yvonne Lewis and Yvette Lewis Hill-Harris (Ollie) of Petersburg, Va., who were her devoted caregivers; brother-in-law, Walter White of Petersburg, Va,; sisters-in-law, Ruth White Kinkaid of San Antonio, TX and Ethel Clarke of New York, N.Y.; godsons, the Rev. Robert Bullock and David Taylor; devoted cousins, Dorothea and John Dowl and Janice Ridley-Harkins; dear friends, Sybille Lewis, Bertha Cunningham, Stella Cummings, Fransella Alvena Charity; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, friends, and the entire Blandford community.
The family appreciates and acknowledges the care given to Mrs. Clarke by the Southside Regional Medical Center staff. The family may be reached at the residence or by contacting Yvette Lewis Hill-Harris at 804-586-9260 and Yvonne Lewis at 804-712-3192.
A funeral service will be held noon Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014 at the Chapel of the William N. Bland and Son Funeral Home, 137 Harrison St., Petersburg. The interment will follow at the Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery, Petersburg.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the William N. Bland and Son Funeral Home, 137 Harrison St., Petersburg. 804-732-7841. For more information or to leave a condolence, please visit our website at www.blandenterprisesinc.com