Tears, pain as family remember relative killed by gunmen
Scores of mourners turned out Sunday to fill the pews inside the Oaklawn Memorial Chapel in Hatfield, Manchester, to celebrate the life of Richard Clarke, brother of the Observer’s All Woman Editor, Petulia Clarke, who was robbed and killed in Manchester on September 24.
Clarke was a taxi operator who was killed by a single bullet to the back of the head. His body was found in his car just before dawn by residents of Mike Town in the parish. He was 34-years-old.
In a bid to console Clarke’s grieving relatives and friends, officiating pastor, Reverend Ransford Hendericks, urged them to take their loss in stride, trust God, and strive to ensure that Clarke’s life was not lived in vain.
“We are exposed to every trial and tribulation. This life is a composition of bitter and sweet, honesty and criminality rub shoulders. Let’s face the realities, you have to face the unknown,” Hendericks said as he delivered the sermon.
Clarke’s death has robbed a seven-year-old girl of a father and his wife, Letecha, wept uncontrollably throughout the service. She was constantly comforted by her employer Bernard Headley, who kept whispering words of encouragement.
His sister Petulia, who delivered the eulogy, remembered her sibling as a jovial, mischievous child who had a knack for making people happy.
“He would joke through his problems. He teased us mercilessly and drove us crazy but we all know he loved his sisters. He could make anyone smile at anytime. He loved being around people and he was a man who was filled with ambition and promise. Promise which was taken away by some criminal,” Clarke said.
Clarke’s other sister, Nadine, broke down midway through her rendition of Only God Knows.
Tributes were also offered by representatives of the Mandeville Primary and Cross Keys High schools where Clarke’s daughter and stepson attend; Clarke’s aunt, Beverly Francis, and Letecha Clarke’s nursing colleagues.
Richard Clarke was the fifth child of eight for his parents. He is survived by his wife, three brothers and four sisters, his daughter Tiva, and stepson Jason.
The Mandeville Police are still investigating the murder.
