Uncrowned Community Builders

My great grandmother, Lessie Clark passed away on November 25th 2005. She may not be here physically, but her spirit lives on. She left footprints behind that can not be erased, and her presence will be felt and passed on generation after generation in my family.

My grandmother had a very hard life and worked very hard. She had only a 4th grade level of education. She didn't know how to read well. She taught herself how to read by going to Sunday school and learning the Bible. Lessie Clark was a great leader in her church, Friendship Baptist Church. She was there when it was a very small church. She helped build the foundation that grew Friendship Baptist Church into the big congregation that it is today. Every Sunday, she would pack as many people as she could into her van and take them to church with her. She wanted everyone to hear the word of the lord. Also she never missed Sunday school no matter how sick she was. Even when bone cancer attacked her, she would still pull herself together to go.

My grandmother loved all of her grandchildren. She was a very important figure in my family. She was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a great, great grandmother. I always remember our talks about Jesus, life, and school. She was also part of the church chorus. She would drive miles and miles to travel with the chorus to sing at other churches. My grandma also taught herself to sew. She would make beautiful dresses. She once made a gorgeous dress for her great granddaughter's prom. She also had a talent, which she called "a gift from God" to take anything that might have been considered garbage into something beautiful. She would take an old pair of shoes and recover them and decorate them into a beautiful pair of shoes. Many people would bring their shoes, hats, and purses over to her to make beautiful again.

Grandma also looked sharp and she never had to spend all kinds of money. All she used was her magic hand and she was always willing to teach others. She also was part owner of an upholstering shop on Bailey Ave in Buffalo. Her and her good friend made old furniture into new furniture that came from a showroom. My grandmother was a self made, strong woman. This is why my grandmother, Lessie Clark is an uncrowned African American Queen to me and I will always remember her for the wonderful grandmother that she was.

2nd Place, Grades 4-6 Jazmine Turner Grade 4, Frank A. Sedita Academy