Cheryl Lovetta Clarke, of Richmond, departed this life on Thursday, January 28, 2021. She was the daughter of the late Isabelle White. Cheryl was born March 23, 1948 in Brooklyn, New York. She grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from the High School of Fashion Industries in Manhattan, New York. Cheryl loved God and was a faithful Christian.

Cheryl, affectionately known as “Mickey” by her entire family and close friends, was the epitome of class and style. Therefore, she refused to leave her keen sense of fashion in the hands of an outsider…Mickey herself became an expert seamstress. Countless family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and even some strangers have proudly worn the garments created under her label “Designs by Cheryl.” Her love for sewing dates back to her very early years as she followed in the footsteps of her beloved grandmother.

Sewing wasn’t the only thing Cheryl picked up from her grandmother…she also loved to cook and spend time with family and friends. Her home was often filled with loved ones during holidays, special occasions, and impromptu celebrations. You could always expect Motown hits playing in the background, the aroma of “good eats” filling the atmosphere and red Kool-Aid!!!

Cheryl raised her two sons, Jerome and Kevin, in the Linden Houses Project of East New York. Not only the mother to her two boys, but she also became the neighborhood “Mom” to many of their friends. Often taking a crew of rambunctious boys and girls on various outings, including concerts and amusement parks…in fact, her favorite roller coaster was the infamous Cyclone at Brooklyn’s Coney Island Amusement Park.

Cheryl spent many years working as a typesetter, word processor and data entry clerk for various organizations in New York. In 2003, she relocated from Brooklyn, New York to Richmond, Virginia. In Richmond, she worked at Westminster Canterbury Retirement Community until her retirement in 2013. After which, she began babysitting the next generation and enjoying the fruits of a life well lived.

Cheryl, affectionately known as Mickey, Ma, Mother-Dear, Nana, Granna, Mother Clarke, and several other beloved nicknames, is survived by her family, whom she truly loved: two sons, Jerome R. Clarke, Jr. and his wife, Erika Clarke and Kevin L. Clarke; grandson, Jerome R. Clarke, III (aka “Jay”); granddaughter, Jessica M. Clarke; great-grandson, Andrew J. Clarke-Grant (aka “AJ”); great-grandson, Jerome E. Clarke (aka “Gahji”); a host of cousins, other relatives and several “adopted” family members.

Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd where viewing will be held from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, February 2, 2021. Funeral services will be held 4 p.m. Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at Scott's Chapel, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Rev. Dr. Rodney M. Waller, eulogist. Interment Rockville Cemetery, Lynbrook, New York. Live streaming at scottsfuneralhome.com. Watch video here; copy & paste into a browser: https://vimeo.com/510249397