Elsie Barbara Clark was born on June 3rd 1923 in Brookneal, Virginia to parents Levi Clark and Lucille Clark and entered eternal life on August 9, 2012. During her youth, Elsie lived throughout Manhattan in the areas of Soho, Chelsea, and Harlem. In June 1941, she graduated from Julia Richman high school and was accepted to nursing school. Shortly after, her mother became gravely ill which forced Elsie to give up the pursuit of a nursing career. She chose to work full-time in order to raise her then, 14-year-old brother Douglas, so they would not be separated. Elsie's mother later passed and she then moved to the Bronx, New York and began working for an insurance company. In 1947 aboard the Circle Line Evening Cruise, she met the love of her life, Joseph Neal. They married in 1949 and from this union came three children Michael, Brian and Lisa. Elsie was a devote Catholic and made sure all her children received a Catholic upbringing and education. In October 1967, the family moved from the Bronx to a house in South Ozone Park, Queens. Elsie was an active volunteer for the Democratic Party assisting with many functions throughout Southeast Queens. She assisted with several campaign initiatives throughout the 70s and 80s. Elsie also worked for City of New York with the Human Resource Administration in various Day Care centers and within income support centers 51 and 54. In 1988 she retired and moved back to Virginia with her husband Joe. Elsie remained there until Joe passed away in 2003. Her relatives and friends of Virginia were always dear to her heart. In 2003 she began splitting time between Virginia and New York to remain close with her daughter after losing both her husband and two sons years earlier. After some years, Elsie remained permanently in New York living with her daughter and then in Flushing House, a senior independent residence. For two years, Elsie enjoyed many great times with her Flushing House Family. She loved visiting the on-site beauty salon for her weekly hairstyle appointments. Elsie enjoyed life and loved to make people laugh with her feisty attitude. She was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. Elsie now joins her husband, sons, parents, and relatives in heaven. Elsie leaves behind a loving daughter Lisa (& Charles), nine grandchildren (Kabari, Jason, Shaun, Aiyana, Troy, Janna, Brian, Keith, and Summer), seven great-grand children (Julie, Karma, Amara, Addison, Armani, Sanura and Joseph), two daughters-in-law (Magali and Sandra), and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 7, 2012 at the chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Brookneal.