Constance Johnson-Clark

Constance Johnson-Clark, of 130 Culpepper Ave., Petersburg, departed this life Saturday, April 19, 2008.

She was born on Sept. 18, 1954, in Washington, D.C. She attended Wakefield High School in Arlington, Va. She was known as "Connie" by family and friends. Connie came to Christ at an early age, and attended Macedonia Baptist Church. She was a Christian, sang in the Mass choir and loved the Lord. Later in life she moved her membership to Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, while she lived in Arlington, Va. She was preceded in death by both parents, George W. and Pattie E. Johnson, and brothers-in-law, Henry Jamison and Elijah Jones.

Connie loved life and dedicated her life in caring for children. Her quick smile and laugh made friends of all, and she never met a stranger. She loved her family, and was known for cooking, barbecue cookouts, baking cakes and crab salads. Connie met and married Kwame Baraka in 1988 and moved to Petersburg, Va.

In addition to working diligently for over five years at the Sunrise Day Care Center, Petersburg, Va., she went on to own and operate her own home day care center during the last few years of her life. Among her best friends and supporters were people such as Tenisa Houston, "Ne-Ne," and Beverly Love, as well as dedicated, "Teresa Dunston" and Paula Neale.

Connie leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Kwame Baraka; two children prior to this union, one loving daughter, Carmen Brown of Arlington, Va., and son William Johnson (Wee Willie); six siblings, the Rev. George W. Johnson (Cynthia) of Sumter, S.C., Gwen Johnson of Arlington, Va., Michelle Kornegay (Hurbert) of Wake Forest, N.C., Michael Johnson of Arlington, Va., Christopher Johnson of Wake Forest, N.C., and Cynthia Johnson of Woodbridge, Va.; two grandchildren, Tavian Wallace and Dasia Hill; four aunts, Mary L. Talley of Palmer Springs, Va., Hester Rogers of Palmer Springs, Va., Myrtle Talley of Arlington, Va., and Ann Talley of Holley Hill, N.C.; three sisters-in-law, Lois Dunston,Shirley Carter and Edmonia Arshad; three brothers-in-law, Earl Neal Jones, Hasan Arshad and Marcus Clark; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close friends.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Chapel of Tucker Funeral Home with Rev. Antonio A. Tucker officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Sinai Cemetery, Prince George. Relatives and friends will assemble at Tucker Funeral Home at 2:30 p.m. The family will receive friends and family at the residence of Wilma Jones, 4722 Woodstream Drive, Petersburg, VA 23803 (Brickwood), (804) 733-7128. The family will also receive friends at Tucker Funeral Home from 6 to 7 this evening. Services under the direction of Tucker Funeral Home Inc., 415 Halifax St., Petersburg. A.A. Tucker, funeral director.