Jeanette Clarey

Jeanette Marie Robinson Clarey was born July 20, 1948 in Whiteville, NC, Columbus County, to the late Deacon Benjamin and Katie Mae Robinson.  She entered into rest on January 6, 2025.

Having grown up in Whiteville, NC, she attended and graduated from Central High School.  “Jenny” as she was affectionately called in her youth was guided by Ms. Turner after graduation to attend Hampton Institute located in Hampton, VA.  While at Hampton Institute, she earned her B.S. degree in Human Ecology in 1976.  She also received her Masters of Science in Management from Hampton University in 1988, along with an endorsement in Secondary Mathematics from Norfolk State University in 1990.  She was an educator and taught for more than 34 years in the Hampton school system as an Instructor of Consumer and Homemaking.  

While attending college she met and married, Benjamin Clarey.  To that union was born one daughter, Adrienne Jeanette Clarey.

Jeanette loved gardening and to travel, and was a very active member in social and community affairs.  She was a lifetime member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and an active member of the Hampton University Alumni Association.  She was also a member of the Hampton Chapel of NHAA Inc. Booster Association.  
   
Guided by the Holy Spirit, Jeanette Clarey joined the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Hampton, VA. She was a faithful and devoted member.  She served in the Chancel Choir and other ministries.

Jeanette was preceded in death by several of her siblings:  Buster Robinson, Hattie Mae Bullock, Rose Ann Bellamy, Sathrie Robinson, Bonnie Faye Richardson, Annie Pearl Everhart, and Joseph Laverne Robinson.

She leaves to mourn her passing, one daughter, Adrienne Jeanette Clarey (Hampton, VA); one sister Doris Catherine Thompson (Chesilhurst, NJ); sisters-in-law, Lottie Bernice Robinson (Elkins Park, PA) and Shirley Robinson (Palmetto, FL); brother-in-law, Baxter Richardson (Philadelphia, PA); and a host of nieces, nephews, great and great great nieces and nephews, and cousins.  Special friends, Rev. Harrilene Shackelford, Lillian McLaurin, Barbara Jean Ford, Helen Graham and many others.

Her viewing will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 2521 N. Armistead Ave. Hampton, VA 23669.  Her service will also be held at Bethel on Monday, January 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Ivy Foundation of Hampton, Inc., P.O. Box 304, Hampton, VA  23666.  Condolences can be sent via www.beachfuneralservices.com.