NORFOLK - On Saturday, October 25, 2008, after a long illness, Lessie Lee Hathaway Clark, 87, formerly of 1701 Melon St., Norfolk VA, went home to be with the Lord. Lessie died at her daughter's home in Chesapeake VA surrounded by her loving children.

Lessie was born June 6, 1921 in Edenton NC to the late Hattie J. and Thomas (Tom) Hathaway. She later moved to Norfolk VA where she married the late Russell A. Clark, Sr. She resided there until the onset of her illness, when, in 1998, she relocated to Baltimore MD with her daughter. After ten years in Baltimore, on Friday, October 10, 2008, Lessie made her final return to her home, Norfolk, Virginia.

Lessie leaves to cherish her memory her five children: two daughters, Jacqueline T. Clayton-Richardson (Alex) of Chesapeake VA and Avery T. Clark of Baltimore MD; three sons, Russell A. Clark, Jr. (Parisiene) of Virginia Beach VA, Byron S. Clark (Tabetha) of Incirlik AB Turkey, Karl V. Clark of Charlotte NC; two sisters, Rebecca Blanchard (Hayward) of Huntington NY and Hattie Downing (Charlie) of Edenton NC; ten grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Pretlow & Sons Funeral Home, 500 Liberty St., Chesapeake VA; the family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A Christian wake will follow visitation hours at 7:00 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 12:00 noon at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, 1000 Holt Street, Norfolk VA; a viewing will be held at the church prior to the mass from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon. Interment will follow at Roosevelt Memorial Park, Chesapeake VA. Family and friends are asked to assemble at 10:45 am at 948 Parkland Lane, Virginia Beach VA, for the procession to the church.

Memorial Contributions may be made to, the Alzheimer's Association, Southeastern Virginia Chapter or the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception.