Obituary of Kenneth Clarke

Obituary Bro. Kenneth Clarke was born in Harlem Hospital to the late Leroy and Ada (Devore) Clark on June 30, 1930. On April 17, 2022, Resurrection Sunday he peacefully transitioned to his heavenly home. Kenneth was educated in the New York City Public School System. In 1949, Kenneth married Orie Johnson and of this union two children were born. Curtis (deceased) and Cynthia. Kenneth began his career as a barber after attending Tyler Barber College and opened his own Barber shop in the Bronx. He also owned two Gypsy Cabs. Kenneth met the love of his life , Betty Ann Spady in Townsend, Virginia. Upon her graduation from college and working in the Bronx, NY they started dating became a couple. On June 30, 1972, he married his “Bet” as he lovingly called her. In 1976, they relocated to Newtonville, NJ. He accepted Jesus as his Savior and joined St. Stephens A.M.E in Newtonville in 1978 under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Ether Graves. He was a Steward and helped fix things that needed to be taken care of. In 1987, Bishop Frank C. Cummings appointed Rev. Betty A. Clarke to the pastoral charge of St. Mark A.M.E Church, Lindenwold, NJ. It was there that Bro. Kenneth became First Man. In 1996, they moved to Browns Mills, New Jersey. Bro. Kenneth was very supportive of the ministries at St. Mark. He would watch his wife with love and adoration as she brought forth the Word. He enjoyed praising and worshipping God. Everyday he thanked the Lord and asked Him to strengthen his body. Bro. Kenneth, loving to take pictures, was also known for capturing moments at the NJ Annual Conference and other functions. He loved to travel with his wife by his side and his handy camera and were blessed to visit many countries and states. Kenneth was employed as a barber at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital in Ancora, NJ for 19 years. He was predeceased in death by his parents, son Curtis, brother Calvin and sister Ollie Mae. He leaves to cherish his memories his beloved wife, Rev. Betty Ann Clarke, daughter Rev. Cynthia (Benjamin) Rhinehart; (two grandchildren, Roxann (Frank) Allen and Norman (Barbara) McCall; great grandchildren, Eugenia, Latoya, Christine, Crystal, NaeAhmi, Cynthia and Nathaniel; great-great grandchildren, Tatyanna, Zakiya, Malachi, Malayka, Zion, Leilani, Eylon, Laylah, Zuir, Nazier, Jamal and Arianna; one aunt, Hattie Ballard; two nieces Linda (Ersadean) Johnson and Patricia Clark; 3 nephews, Calvin (Millie), William and Arthur Clark; two Godchildren, Leamen (Monica) Gee Jr. and Alfesha Cash; two special nieces, Teresa Gee and Rev. Frances Johnson; Many nieces, nephews, cousins, St. Mark A.M.E. Church Family and a host of friends. Lovingly submitted the Family