CHRISTINE B. CLARK

Dr. Christine Broady Clark was called from labor to reward on Monday, May 22, 2023. Christine was the fourth child born to the late John Arthur and Lillian Turner Broady on July 5, 1926 in a small segregated town in Saltville in Southwest Virginia. The young Broady family moved from Saltville to Plum Creek, a section of Glade Spring, VA to live in the birth home of her mother. Christine was blessed to have been born into a Christian home where Sunday was devoted to Sunday School and church. She was baptized at an early age in the creek that followed behind the family church, Plum Creek Baptist Church, in Glade Spring VA. Her parents always emphasized the importance of education and their desire for each of their children to attend college. After Christine graduated from King's Mountain HIgh School as salutatorian in 1943, her parents and her brother, Theron, drove her to Bluefield State Teacher's College in Bluefield, WV. While at Bluefield State College three life-changing events occurred for her. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Secondary Teaching. In 1945 she pledged and crossed into the Beta Pi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Last but certainly not least, she began a love affair on campus with the highly sociable, William Martin Clark, from Beckley, WV. They exchanged their marriage vows on July 12, 1950 in Washington DC. This lifetime commitment lasted 54 years and produced three children, Zina, Mary Lillian "Lilly"(deceased), and William Martin "Marty" (deceased). Christine and Bill enjoyed traveling and entertaining friends and family in their home. Mrs. Clark began her elementary teaching career in 1953 in Prince George's County, MD. She was assigned to Sojourner Truth Elementary School in Oxon Hill, MD. Presently, the Oxon Hill Library occupies that space. In 1956, she was transferred to the newly built Clinton Grove Elementary in Clinton MD. There she taught 4th and 5th graders. After a few years at Clinton Grove Elementary, her principal, Mrs. Taliaferro encouraged her to pursue graduate certification in Special Education. Christine's administrators continued to guide her toward higher supervisory responsibilities. She became a Special Education Coordinator of a wing; one of the first Black women to supervise a summer program for Special Needs children in Prince George's County known as Operation Bridge. She later went on to serve as Vice Principal at Columbia Park Elementary School in Columbia Heights MD. She retired from PGCPS in July, 1984 from her final position as a Personnel Specialist (Human Resource Specialist) for Elementary Schools where she recruited candidates for teaching positions from the local area colleges. This position required her to travel (drive) to Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and Georgia. In 1953 a neighbor, Marie Hammond, invited the family to visit Shiloh Baptist Church. Once Christine attended she decided to join and solidified Shiloh as the family church home. Immediately, she began sharing her expertise as a pianist and by teaching in the Cradle Roll Class (nursery), writing curriculum, and serving as the Financial Secretary for the Sunday School Department. For many years she served as Chairperson of the Leadership Committee for Christian Education. Not only did Mrs. Clark exhibit her love for teaching, but also her love for singing! For several years she was a dedicated member of the Volunteers Chorus under the direction of the dynamic Mrs. Mariellen Lofton. After retiring from Prince Geoge's County Public School System in 1984, Dr. Clark's commitment and responsibilities to Shiloh and the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. became broader and took on greater significance. Because of her astuteness and skillful capabilities, Christine proved that her devotion, dedication, and spirituality more than qualified her to serve in several strategic official positions at Shiloh Baptist Church and Delta Sigma Theta. Her responsibilities at Shiloh included the following: Chairperson of the Trustee Board (2 terms); President of the Circle Leaders Council (two terms); Deaconess; Leader of Torchbearers Circle; Vice-Leader of Victory and Pilgrim Circles; Member of the Building Committee, Pulpit Search, Nominating, and Budget Committees, and numerous Pastor and Church Anniversary Committees. Shiloh Baptist Church WDC also bestowed Dr. Clark with Three prestigious honors: Trustee Emeritus, Deaconess Emeritus, and Vice Leader Emeritus. She served in many roles and positions in WDCAC (DST) including: Chair of the WDCAC Foundation which planned and built "Delta Towers", many positions within the chapters Executive Board, several committees and volunteered countless hours in order to serve the Washington DC community. As dedicated and devoted as Christine was to career responsibilities, Shiloh Baptist Church, and Delta she poured the same love and dedication into her immediate and extended families and close family friends. In the early 1980's, Christine and Bill organized and hosted several Turner(maternal)Family Reunions. Then in the mid 1980's, we started to participate in the Frank Broady Family Reunions. Both of these occasions gave the families the opportunity to travel to other states, catch up on family history and business, and experience wonderful fellowship. Christine's love of life kept her motivated with organizations, such as, the Bluefield State College Alumni Association, and Girl Scout Troop 1180 Mothers Club. Christine's devotion to Delta SigmaTheta Sorority, Inc. was without question and she became a Golden Life Member in 1983 She also received her Honorary Doctorate degree from Bluefield State College, her alma mater, in 1986. God sent his angel of Mercy to receive her soul on the morning of Monday, May 22, 2023. But, at dusk on Sunday evening May 21, 2023, she looked at me and strongly said, "I'm going to miss you". I replied with streaming tears, " I'm going to miss you, Ma". She leaves to cherish her memory Zina Clark Griffith(daughter); Fern Clark(daughter-in-law); Granddaughters, Bianca Christina Kennon, Malaika Telesford Barlow, Erin and Marti Clark; grandson, William Troy Griffith; great-grandsons, Jeffrey Khalil Barlow, Ryan Brice and Trent Christian Kennon; great-granddaughters, Carmen Lalia Barlow, Soraya Imani Isaacs; godson, Zougwi Reeves, devoted and dedicated nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The family would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the outstanding staff and especially the superb Potomac Nurses and Staff Unit at the Collington Senior Community for their genuinely expert professional caring and support they gave to Ma and my family. Bless you all.

CHRISTINE B. CLARK

July 5, 1926 - May 22, 2023