Lakeia Shari Clark

Ms. Lakeia Shari Clark, the daughter of Reverend Michael Clark and Barbara Haney Clark was born October 28, 1983 at the Orangeburg Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The whisper angel came to her room at the Hermann Memorial Hospital in Houston, Texas on Saturday November 2, 2019. Lakeia departed this life and flew away with the whisper angel to be with God!

At an early age Keia was baptized at Target A.M.E. Church in Holly Hill, SC. She went to church every Sunday with her parents. She went to Sunday school faithfully and participated with the youth programs. She attended Shiloh, Mt. Zion, and Bethel A.M.E. Churches in which her father was the pastor. She served faithfully at all churches. When she moved to Houston, Texas she attended Lakewood Church where the Pastor is Joel Osteen and John Gray is the Assistant Pastor. She was a regular online member at Relentless Church in Greenville under the leadership of Pastor John Gray.

Lakeia’s education began at Holly Hill Elementary School in Holly Hill, SC. Then she proceeded to Holly Hill Middle School and started playing basketball, her passion! She started playing basketball in the sixth grade. When she was in the seventh grade she got drafted to the varsity team and played starting point guard at Holly Hill Roberts high School.

Lakeia continued her passion for playing basketball through high school. Lakeia’s jersey #13 was honored and retired and was showcased at Holly Hill Roberts High School in Holly Hill, SC. The point guard “Keia” “Bit” lead the team to states and all-Star titles. Lakeia “Bit” nicknamed by coach Lyman Foster was small in stature but was a giant on the court. Lakeia continued her education at Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in physical education and was a 2005 graduate. She was the first to be drafted to the Claflin girls’ basketball team in 2001. Lakeia pledged to become a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority in 2004. Lakeia didn't stop there, she received a Master of Science degree in Information Technology from Capella University in 2009.

After Lakeia completed her education in South Carolina, she moved to Houston, Texas and she received a degree in Dental Assistance in 2013.

Lakeia was employed by South Carolina State University as a student recruiter. She kept a camera in her hands. She loved to take pictures and she began a photography business and named it L.S. Clark Photography. Later she changed the name to Happy Moments Photography. Lakeia was a store manager at Advance Auto in Houston, Texas. She was also employed at several dental offices as a dental assistant in Houston. Then she was employed by Lifetouch Photography company in Houston. Also, while in Houston, Lakeia did some security work at a security company.

Lakeia accomplished and did a lot while she lived in Houston, Texas. She had a motto that she lived by, and that is ‘Choose Happy.’ She said life is more better if you choose happy. The mayor of the state of Texas awarded her a proclamation, stating her name, Lakeia S. Clark, as founder of Choose Happy Foundation, September 4, 2016.

Lakeia was a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Network, The Book of John Gray in which she was interviewed by Pastor John Gray. The interview was about her journey, battle, and struggles with Cancer. She called Pastor John Gray her brother and pastor.

Lakeia wrote a children’s book entitled, ‘No!!! Mommy Has A Boo Boo In The Boob. It’s Cancer.’ She wrote the book to help children cope when a family member is battling breast cancer. She had almost finished another book about her battle with breast cancer.

To celebrate Lakeia’s home-going service and cherish her precious memories: her father and mother, Reverend Michael Clark and Barbara Haney Clark of Holly Hill, SC; sister, Franscene Nichole Clark Void (Atiba) of Summerville, SC; nieces, Chynna Na’Shay Clark and Shaniah Nicole Clark both of Summerville, SC; one first cousin, who was like a brother to Lakeia, LaQuin ‘Mont’ Haney (Ebony) of Washington, DC; an adopted mother, Katherine Grice (Michael) of Wilmington, NC; godbrothers, Johnathan Jarmal Brown of Cross, SC, Terrance Damario Dingle of Columbia, SC; godmothers, Mae Liza Smith of New York City and Cynthia Griffin of Holly Hill, SC; her pastor and brother, Pastor John Gray (Aventer); aunts, Diane Hilliard of Holly Hill, SC, Barbara Gladden (Charles) of St. Matthews, SC, Gloria Hilliard of Holly Hill, SC, Nathlien Williams of Boston, MA, Louvenia Pinckney (Charles) of Cross, SC, Christina Williams of Holly Hill, SC, Geneva Gavins (Morris) of Holly Hill, SC, Dorothy M. Dingle (Levi) of Summerville, SC, Lurine Brown (Bernard) of Holly Hill, SC and Thelma Brown (Joseph) of Cross, SC; uncles, “special uncle” Terry Hilliard (Janie), Nathaniel Hilliard (Mellissa) of Cameron, SC, Joseph Jr. Haney of Holly Hill, SC, and Sam Haney (Cherrydale); and a host of grand uncles and aunts, family, and friends.

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