Sadie C. King

On September 14, 1943, the late Rev. Shady Clark, Sr. and Sarah Forbes Clark were favored by Almighty God with the birth of a beautiful baby girl. Sadie Marie Clark preceded her twin brother in birth by only a few minutes. Early on Tuesday morning, May 18th, 2010, this angel-on-Earth slipped peacefully into the ever-loving arms of her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ for her eternal reward.
Born and reared in Greenville, NC, Sadie was an exemplary child and student. She matriculated through Pitt County Schools, graduating with honors from C. M. Eppes High School at age 16. She attended Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC, where she studied her junior year abroad in Beirut, Lebanon and became a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. After relocating to New York in the mid 1960’s, Sadie achieved significant milestones; she earned her undergraduate degree from Brooklyn (NY) College, a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University, and met the love of her life – second only to Christ, Leonard King of Durham, NC.
Sadie and Leonard were married August 2, 1969. To this blissful, Christian union were born two wonderful children, both of whom were her crowning joy. While residing in New York for over 23 years, Sadie and her family were faithful members at New Covenant Temple United Holy Church in New York City. There Sadie served as President of the Temple Choir for many years; Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee; and was honored as Woman of the Year. In 1993, Sadie became a disciple at Wake Chapel Church in Raleigh.
Throughout her life Sadie was committed to educational, professional, and ministerial excellence. Her work career involved several notable links, including:
Executive Director, Emmanuel Progressive Daycare Center; Director, National Council of Negro Women On-the-Job Training Program; Education & Community Specialist, Raleigh Housing Authority; Parent Liaison, Wake County Public Schools.
At Wake Chapel Church Sadie served in the following capacities:
Coordinator, Educational and Career Development; Former Co-Chair (with husband), Couples’ Ministry; Former member, Anointed Vessel Choir; The Women’s Ministry ( WAKE); Program Manager, Cultivating the Black Male Grant.
Sadie was also an active member of the Capital City Sertoma Club and the Wake County NAACP. At her untimely passing, she was serving tirelessly as President of the Capital Area Section of the National Council of Negro Women. Just a few weeks ago, it was her unique opportunity to represent her Section at the funeral rites of her personal mentor and exemplar, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, iconic civil rights leader and long-serving National President of the National Council of Negro Women.
Sadie was an indispensable resource to many people. Gifted with the spirit of compassion, hospitality, and excellence, she thrived to enrich the lives of others, enabling them to actualize their potential and dreams. Her overflowing capacity to love and care so impactfully was demonstrated not only with her personal family, but with others, especially young people. Youth were her passion and her principle purpose as she labored indefatigably to guide, motivate, and advocate for the educational growth and achievement as well as their personal and spiritual development. A recipient of many accolades for scholarship and service, Sadie diligently pursued the same and greater opportunities for students and their parents from all walks of life. She has left her imprimatur as mentor, advocate, motivator, and friend on the hearts of many.
Sadie was an amazing woman of integrity, influence, and intimacy with her Lord. Her reverential love for and faith in our awesome God was the compass and navigator for her service to all. In living, loving, and laughing, Sadie modeled for us the abundant life. To God be the glory!
Sadie leaves to forever cherish the memories of her life: her devoted husband and partner for over 40 years, Leonard King of the home; one adoring daughter, Dayatra Tishaun Matthews, Esq. and her husband Rickey; one devoted son, Leonard Omar King and his wife, LaToya, all of Raleigh; one admiring sister, (Pastor) Eve C. Rogers and her husband, Ray, Greenville, NC; two caring brothers, (Pastor) Shady Clark, Jr. (her twin) and his wife, Pearl, Richmond, VA; and (Pastor) John B. Clark and his wife, Cynthia, Riverdale, GA.
Also mourning her loss, are three other brothers-in-law, Henry Clay King (Gwen), Richmond, VA, Fred King (Glyndora), Mt. Holly, NJ, and George King (Linda), Durham; one aunt, Mrs. Beatrice Forbes, Stantonsburg; two special nieces, Adeea Rogers, Greenville, NC; Shanetia Clark, Ph.D., Harrisburg, PA, Beverly Howell, Richmond, VA, several other nieces and nephews; many cousins; other relatives; friends, including special long-time friends, Mary Walker, Monsey, NY, Tina Reaves, Pittsboro, and Eve Scott Briggs, Owing Mills, MD; loving godchildren, and her beloved Wake Chapel Church family.