Geraldine Clarke

Tuskegee, Alabama - Mrs. Geraldine O. Clarke (Hopkins and Marques), was 'Called to Come" on June 11, 2012 at Magnolia Haven Nursing Home (Tuskegee, AL). She was born to William and Georgia (Ankrim) Hopkins on January 14, 1923 in Madison, Wisconsin. She would excel in the Madison Public School system and attended Central High School there before going on to Bennett College in Greensboro. N.C. She was a loyal and devoted member of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 50 years as well as rising to the rank of Past Grand Illustrious Commandrous for the Daughters of Isis organization.

A loving and devoted parent, Geraldine moved to Tuskegee, Alabama in summer of 1969 to wed a native son, Sylvanus Clarke. She worked tirelessly as secretary for the Dean of Education at Tuskegee Institute (University) but went on to complete her work life at Tuskegee's Veterans Hospital under the guidance of one of her closest friends Sceiva Holland in the TAHEC department until retirement in 1989.

Geraldine was initially a member of Greenwood Baptist Church (Tuskegee) but would later join the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Tuskegee where she has been a devoted member for over ten years.

Geraldine is survived by her husband of 43 years Mr. Sylvanus B. Clarke; a sister, Hannah Christian (Joseph), (Chicago, IL); her daughter, Michele Thurman (LeRoy), (Detroit, MI) and son, Miguel R. Marques (Tuskegee, AL). She also has a niece and two nephews, Letia Hopkins Thomas (California), Bryon Christian (Chicago, IL) and Barry Hopkins Nelson (Philadelphia, PA). She also has two granddaughters, Keisha Thurman and J. Sabre' Marques; four great grandchildren, Jayden, Aniyah, Tekilah and Cadence; two grandnephews, Jason and Jonathon Thomas. She is preceded in death by her son Rodrigues Emanuel (Ricky) Marques, three brothers, Claude, Anthony and Charles Hopkins and one sister Jean Redwood.

A funeral service will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

A diligent and hard worker, she was truly a beautiful spirit,
She will be missed by many....I LOVE YOU MA...........
"MAY THE LORD HOLD HER CLOSE"