Edna Maria Clarke

Edna was the thirteenth of fifteen children born to the late Ruperto Ferrer, of Ponce, Puerto Rico and Louise Burden, of Louise County, Virginia.

Edna was born on April 22nd, 1910 in New York City, New York. She attended the New York City Public School System up until the completion of the 8th grade. In 1928 she met and wed Rawlins E. Clarke. From that union a son Rawlins E. Clarke Jr., was born in 1930 and another son Gerald Edward Clarke, in 1933, now deceased.

Edna joined the I.L.G.W.U. in 1942 and worked in the garment district of New York as a dressmaker from 1942 until she retired in 1972. She remained in Long Island City, New York where she became known as the “doll lady”, due to her hobby of repairing and dressing old broken dolls and giving them to the neighborhood little girls as gifts until 1994, at which time she relocated to Virginia Beach, VA.

She is survived by her son and daughter in law, Rawlins and Ethel Clarke. Five Grandchildren: Rawlins E Clarke III, Michael Clarke (deceased) Darryl Clarke, Cheryl Miles and Lisa Clarke-Barnes. Eight Great-Grandchildren: Rawlins E Clarke IV, Renee Clarke, Tanesha Miles, Vanessa Rufus, Michele Bell, Michael Bell, Jordan Bell and James Bell and Six Great-Great Grandchildren: Rawlins E Clarke V, Kira Wilson, Khloe Clarke, Jayden Brown, Jamari Brown, Jordin Rufus, several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. All of whom will miss her greatly.

The family of Edna Maria Clarke would like to thank each one of you for the kind words, prayers and condolences. We know that you would be here if the circumstances permitted

In accordance with the wishes of my mother, the memorial services will be held at the Smith and Williams Funeral Home at 4889 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 on Saturday March 12, 2011 at 2pm.