Yvonne Hayling Clarke

Yvonne Elvira Hayling Clarke, mother, counselor, scholar and community advocate, passed away on June 28, 2022 in Sarasota, Florida. She lived a life of love and service that she committed to her family, her friends, and her community.
Yvonne Elvira Hayling was born August 5, 1935 in Tallahassee, FL, the youngest child of Charles Cleaver Hayling, Sr. and Cleo B Hayling.
Yvonne received her education at Lucy E. Moten Demonstration (elementary) School and FAMC High school. She completed her undergraduate degree at Florida A&M University in 1957 with honors. She earned a B.S. in Sociology and was a member of the City Women's Club, NAACP, FAMU Women Congress and YWCA. Yvonne was voted Miss Senior/Attendant to Miss FAMU, and elected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities in 1957. According to Yvonne's classmates, she was one of the most popular and well-liked students at FAMU. After college, Yvonne worked as a counselor at Hampton University before enrolling in graduate school. She earned a master's degree in Guidance and Personnel Administration from New York University, compliments to the State of Florida that had no graduate education for African Americans at that time. It was while studying at NYU, that she met her husband of 60+ years, and together they went on a journey of love and service.
Yvonne and Garvey married in 1961 and settled in Brooklyn, NY where they started their young married life and careers. Garvey and Yvonne were true partners-they were committed to community activism and fighting poverty. They helped Yvonne's brother Robert B. Hayling in his efforts to fight for civil rights in St. Augustine, Florida. The two attended the March on Washington in 1963. Yvonne often talked about the time she met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the World's Fair in 1964 and then presidential candidate Robert Kennedy at a fund raiser in New York. Yvonne volunteered with Garvey to lead the young adult group in St. Mark's Methodist Episcopal Church in Harlem, New York. The group founded an anti-poverty program to help at-risk youth by offering tutoring, career guidance and educational excursions. Garvey and Yvonne also co-founded Stuyford Action Council, a grant funded program created to improve the educational opportunities for young people in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Both programs were founded with the goal of improving their lives and educational careers of young African American students. Yvonne showed a similar commitment to the students she taught and mentored in the New York City public school system. Yvonne worked for the New York City Board of Education for thirty-two years; teaching elementary school for twenty years and as a guidance counselor for twelve years. Yvonne was beloved by her students and looked out them, often advocating for her students to get into specialized high schools and helping their families receive needed supportive services.
While living in Brooklyn, Yvonne and Garvey started their family. They had two children, Wendy Yvonne Clarke and Garvey Hayling Clarke. In 1971, the couple moved to Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Yvonne took a seven-year sabbatical to help raise her children. She took an active role in Wendy and Garv's educational experience and much to their chagrin, she made sure to supplement their education, especially when she thought their actual teachers were not making the cut. The couple joined Greater Centennial AME Zion Church in Mount Vernon, NY and Yvonne taught Sunday School and volunteered for many years in Vacation Bible School. Yvonne was Brownie leader for Wendy's girl scout Brownie troop and were active in the Westchester chapter of the family organization, Hansel and Gretel. Yvonne pledged and crossed the burning sands of Westchester Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated in Spring 1996. Yvonne and Garvey opened their home to various family members throughout the years and had a large extended family with whom they shared holidays and celebrated other significant events.
Yvonne was thrilled with the births of her grandchildren, Justin Clarke Wilcox, followed by Hayley Wilcox two years later. Yvonne retired to help take care of her grandchildren and was a tremendous help to her daughter, Wendy.
In 2001, Yvonne and Garvey retired to Sarasota, Florida. Yvonne maintained her connection to Tallahassee through her membership in the alumni chapter, as well as her contributions to the University. In Sarasota,
Yvonne was a member of Bradenton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Sarasota Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASAALH), and an Archousa of the Gamma Xi Chapter of the Boulé.
Yvonne served on the Christian Education Committee of First Congregational United Church of Christ where she and Garvey were members since 2004.
Yvonne was proud to have grown up on the highest of hills in Tallahassee, where her parents were employed at FAMU. She understood the significance of growing up in the culturally rich environment of the campus, and like her siblings, her contributions to education in all of its phases throughout her life, were a testament to the seeds sown early in her life.
She is preceded in rest by her parents, Charles and Cleo Hayling, Sr., sister Frances H. Little, and brothers Charles C. Hayling, Jr., and Robert B. Hayling.
She leaves to cherish many wonderful memories and times spent together her husband, Garvey Elliott Clarke, daughter Dr. Wendy Yvonne Clarke Wilcox, son Garvey Hayling Clarke and grandchildren Justin Clarke Wilcox and Hayley Lynne Wilcox. Yvonne leaves her nieces, nephews, godchildren and a host of family members and close family friends.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2022, from 9:00am until 10:00am, at The First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1031 S. Euclid Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34237.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 9,2022 at 10:00am, at The First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1031 S. Euclid Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34237.
Burial will take place at 12:00pm, at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34232