Michael Antonio Clarke, Sr.

On Saturday, July 2, 2022, God looked over His garden and His angels of love and called our beloved Michael Antonio Clarke, Sr. to His eternal garden. He knew Michael had suffered long enough, so he extinguished his pain and carried him home. Michael Antonio Clarke, Sr. was born on May 24, 1963 in Montpelier, Virginia to the late Claude Clarke, Sr. and Anne Marie Johnson-Clarke. He was their first born son.

He accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Brown Grove Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Darius Beechaum until his health began to fail.

He was educated in the Hanover County Public School System and was a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Ashland, Virginia.  Upon graduating, Michael worked in the Labor/Service Industry most of his life. He worked for 8 years at Pitney Bowes and most recently, Mygrant Glass for the past 4 years until his health failed. Michael loved helping others and was recognized as a hardworking and devoted coworker.

On July 30, 1988, Michael married his childhood sweetheart and the love of his life, Shelia Tolson, and from this union two children were born, Eboni Lashay (Babygirl) Clarke and Michael Antonio (MC) Clarke, Jr.

Michael was a  man's man, an awesome and phenomenal man who loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren Austin, Akyra, and Ava.  He loved entertaining in his home and would give you the shirt off his back.  He attended many events with his grandchildren including little league football games, competitions, and other activities.  He dreamed of things he would do with his newest granddaughter, Journey.

Michael leaves to cherish his life a devoted and beloved wife, Sheila; daughter, Eboni; son, Michael (Qui); four grandchildren, Austin, Akyra, Ava, and Journey; brothers, Claude Clarke, Jr. of Petersburg, VA and Alonzo Clarke of Bristol, Tennessee; aunts, Efelda "Pattie" Hairston-Young of Elkins Park, PA, Rosa Stevens of Glen Allen, VA and Princella Fauntleroy of Henrico, VA; uncles, Clyde "Teenie" Clarke (Beulah) of Doswell, VA, William "Bill" Henry of Clearfield, PA, Desso "Jr." Cantey, Sr. of Chislehurst, NJ, and Lorenza Harris of Caroline County, VA; great-aunt, Peggy Slaughter-Pulliam of Henrico, VA; father-in-law, George E. Tolson, Sr. of Washington, DC; brother-in-law, George E. Tolson, Jr. of Richmond, VA; sisters-in-law, Shauton and Rosalind Tolson of Richmond, VA; and a host of other loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.