Agnes (nee Hopkins) Clark was born on February 28, 1933 in Baltimore, Maryland and was the only child of the late Linzie and Rev. Carrie (nee Steward) Hopkins. She was called home March 11, 2016.
Most of her early childhood years were spent with her mother as she had rheumatic heart disease and was bedridden for a good number of years, but when she got up - she made up for lost time and continued to do so up until the Lord called her home. Religion was important to her as she joined the church at an early age, coupled with the teachings and ministering of her mother who was a Minister.
Agnes received her education through the Baltimore Public school system. Wanting more, she furthered her education by attending night school for nurse’s aide training. She worked up until retirement as a nurse’s aide. She was a nurse’s nurse having worked at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Bon Secours Hospital and the Anne Arundel County Hospital. After officially retiring she worked as a private duty nurse and sitter from time to time.
But going back: at a young age she met and fell in love with the late Wallace Hodge, Carolyn was born to this union. Some years late she met and fell in love with the late Thomas B. Smith Sr. five children was born to this union, Thomas Jr., Lisa, Linzie (deceased), Warren (deceased) and Tanya.
During the childhood of her children Agnes was famous for her Friday fish fry, the neighborhood children knew they were in for a treat and would be near the house come Friday at dinnertime. Now, part of her motherly responsibilities included clothing the children, she made sure they were dressed to their best and coordinated everything - particularly Easter and Mother’s Day - with their suits, shirts and ties as well as hats, gloves, ruffled stockings, and the dresses with hoops, etc (that’s how they did things back in the day).
Love found Agnes again and she married Claude (Leonard) Clark. The two enjoyed entertaining, traveling, jazz shows and a little clubbing when they were younger. On their 25th wedding anniversary Agnes planned and was able to experience the wedding of her dreams. The wedding and reception was enjoyed by all.
“Agnes, ma, granny gran”, could talk. Some years ago she had become ill and was in a coma for some days, it was at this time she was doved CNN, because if she knew it everybody knew it.
She was a people’s person and she always had a smile. She gardened with a passion, she also enjoyed crocheting and all have a beautiful color coordinated Afghan to prove it. Another passion was talking. Agnes enjoyed life and all she came in contact with knew it.
After retirement she spent many hours gardening and fighting the weeds. She would say “if I could get my flowers to grow as good as these weeds WOW”. She also spent time staying in contact with family and friends via phone (if anyone needed call waiting - she did), she spent time watching her stories and when able riding around looking at houses.
She leaves to mourn her devoted husband, Leonard, four children: Carolyn Hodge-Armstrong (Lawrenceville, Georgia), Thomas B. Smith Jr. (Baltimore, Maryland), Lisa Shields (Valencia, California) and Tanya Mensah (Charlottesville, Virginia). Grandchildren, Kelly Alicea, Thomas Shields 3rd, Nicole Shields, Joshua Mensah, Amber Smith and Anna Mensah. Great grand children, Linzie and Guy Taylor, Kai Smith and Anderson Mensah. She leaves a son-in-law Thomas Shields 2nd and grand son-in-law David Alicea. She leaves a host of other family members and numerous friends.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 18, 2016 at Antioch Baptist Church at 11 AM. Visitation hour will be held on Friday, March 18, 2016 from 10 AM - 11 AM prior to funeral services at Antioch Baptist Church. Professional Services Entrusted to Wimberly & Jackson Funeral Home.