Carolia Clark was born in 1924 in Severn Maryland, the youngest of 6 children to the late Rufus and Columbine Queen. She was raised in a godly family, attending Metropolitan United Methodist Church and enjoyed the blessing of a close-knit community of family and friends. Carolia earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Hampton Institute in Mathematics and Physics in 1944 followed by an Advanced Degree in Mathematics from Howard University in 1948 before following her true passion, nursing. After receiving her Nursing Diploma from Freedman's Hospital in 1953, she began her nursing career. Later that same year, she was joined in Holy...
Carolia Clark was born in 1924 in Severn Maryland, the youngest of 6 children to the late Rufus and Columbine Queen. She was raised in a godly family, attending Metropolitan United Methodist Church and enjoyed the blessing of a close-knit community of family and friends.
Carolia earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Hampton Institute in Mathematics and Physics in 1944 followed by an Advanced Degree in Mathematics from Howard University in 1948 before following her true passion, nursing. After receiving her Nursing Diploma from Freedman's Hospital in 1953, she began her nursing career. Later that same year, she was joined in Holy Matrimony to Charles Clark, Jr. This union was blessed with three loving children, Letitia, Sharon, and Charles. She instilled in her children a healthy respect for the importance of education, but also a love of life and she lead by example. Carolia loved sparkly dresses and big church hats. She loved to entertain and her door was always open. She was a great cook and gardener. She loved to dance and music filled her home. She was a source of sound, godly advice and a woman of "uncommon" sense. Even once her children were grown she continued to teach these same lessons to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Carolia whole-heartedly loved her life as a wife and mother, but found time to pursue growing responsibilities in her duties as a nurse. She worked as a staff nurse in the operating room before being promoted to head nurse of the Newborn Nurseries. Eventually she became Nursing Supervisor of Obstetrics and Pediatrics. To advance her career she returned to school to earn a Masters of Science in Nursing Administration from Catholic University in 1970. Upon completion of her Masters, she assumed the role of Associate Director of Continuing Education at Freedman's Hospital. Here she developed policies and researched more efficient practices for the department, but also prepared and taught courses, served as an educational advisor for her personnel, recruited new nurses and helped them prepare for their registry. She retired from Howard University Hospital in 1990 as the Assistant Director of Nursing. She enjoyed a distinguished career spanning from 1953 to 1990 and in 1995 she was recognized by Howard University College of Nursing as "One of the 100 Extra Ordinary Nurses" for her outstanding contributions.
Carolia knew that success was not about how much you have, but how much you give and her life exemplified that. After retiring from nursing, her service to the community continued and she is well known for her contributions to Prince George's County's Beautification Committee, winning several awards for her service. Her spirit to serve did not end there though. She served through The North Lake Home Owners Association, The Lake Arbor Civic Association, Kingsford Elementary School, Cornerstone Church, Largo Community Church, and the Kiwanis Club where she was once named "Kiwanian of the Year".
Though Carolia Clark accomplished many things, she remained humble. Of her life she could simply say:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course. I have kept the faith." -II Timothy 4:7
We do not know what God's timing is for us, but Carolia has finished the course and quietly laid down her baton. We continue her race, each in a better position for the legacy she leaves behind.