When first asked to write this tribute, everything in me wanted to say no, but I remembered something Dee would always say, “You’ve got this!” I thought to myself, that is easier said than done. How do you encapsulate by the stroke of a pen someone who exuded life? How do you memorialize the essence of someone who would not be defined by labels or live within the boxes others built for her? I’m still not sure I have answered either of those questions. However, what I want to share with you about Dionesha Antoinette Clarke were the three, biggest lessons her life taught me, all of us that loved her, and those that will experience her legacy through us. Things she strived to live out daily and encouraged all of us to do the same.
Dee, as we affectionately called her, believed in counting your blessings. Her life taught us to look around and see the amazing blessings God had granted in family, friends, and life. Her greatest joy and assignment in the earth was that of mom to little Miss London. She would often be heard saying, “everything I do I do for her.” No matter how tired she was or how hard her day had been London and home was her first priority. She loved her parents, her sister, Joscelyn (BFF from day one), her nephew, Ryan and her grandpa, Pop Lawson. That’s a lesson we all need to be reminded of, that our first ministry is to our family. We can be so busy that we neglect the relationships God has given us to nurture and develop. (Exodus 20:12 & Proverbs 22:6)
Dee taught us the value of honor and support for your pastor. She didn’t do this just because her father is Bishop Timothy J. Clarke. She did this because she first loved God. He calls His children to honor godly leadership. Whatever she did for First Church or the Berean Fellowship, she did unto God. I believe that she hoped her example would propel all of us to do the same. (Hebrews 13:17)
Lastly, Dee taught us to pursue our purpose and while doing so, encourage others to do the same. Dee was passionate about fulfilling one’s destiny. Passionate about discovering the gifts and callings that God has locked up on the inside of you and doing them actually. She believed that if God called you to something, He gifted you for that your call. Your gift is needed on the earth. Over the last few days, I had heard countless individuals all over the country who will never forget how Dee encouraged them when they were at their lowest, wanting to give up, didn’t think they were good enough or equipped enough. She would often say, “You’ve got this.” Her blog that she started back in December, A Daily Dose of Dee…. Motivation for the Soul became just the right amount of daily medicine from God through her to keep those of us who read it, going. The ultimate encourager that was Dee. The ultimate goal-getter, that was Dee. She believed that God had called us to shine and in doing so our light would reflect His glory. (Colossians 3:17)
So, I am determined to live out the lessons my sister, not by blood but by love, have taught me. Love family, honor God’s servants, and live out the purpose for which you were born. In doing so, you honor God.
Sleep well sis until we meet again!
Lovingly Submitted,
Rev. Tatum M. Osbourne
Dee, as we affectionately called her, believed in counting your blessings. Her life taught us to look around and see the amazing blessings God had granted in family, friends, and life. Her greatest joy and assignment in the earth was that of mom to little Miss London. She would often be heard saying, “everything I do I do for her.” No matter how tired she was or how hard her day had been London and home was her first priority. She loved her parents, her sister, Joscelyn (BFF from day one), her nephew, Ryan and her grandpa, Pop Lawson. That’s a lesson we all need to be reminded of, that our first ministry is to our family. We can be so busy that we neglect the relationships God has given us to nurture and develop. (Exodus 20:12 & Proverbs 22:6)
Dee taught us the value of honor and support for your pastor. She didn’t do this just because her father is Bishop Timothy J. Clarke. She did this because she first loved God. He calls His children to honor godly leadership. Whatever she did for First Church or the Berean Fellowship, she did unto God. I believe that she hoped her example would propel all of us to do the same. (Hebrews 13:17)
Lastly, Dee taught us to pursue our purpose and while doing so, encourage others to do the same. Dee was passionate about fulfilling one’s destiny. Passionate about discovering the gifts and callings that God has locked up on the inside of you and doing them actually. She believed that if God called you to something, He gifted you for that your call. Your gift is needed on the earth. Over the last few days, I had heard countless individuals all over the country who will never forget how Dee encouraged them when they were at their lowest, wanting to give up, didn’t think they were good enough or equipped enough. She would often say, “You’ve got this.” Her blog that she started back in December, A Daily Dose of Dee…. Motivation for the Soul became just the right amount of daily medicine from God through her to keep those of us who read it, going. The ultimate encourager that was Dee. The ultimate goal-getter, that was Dee. She believed that God had called us to shine and in doing so our light would reflect His glory. (Colossians 3:17)
So, I am determined to live out the lessons my sister, not by blood but by love, have taught me. Love family, honor God’s servants, and live out the purpose for which you were born. In doing so, you honor God.
Sleep well sis until we meet again!
Lovingly Submitted,
Rev. Tatum M. Osbourne
We say goodbye. Rest well sis.
Sis. Dionesha A. Clarke Funeral Program: http://bit.ly/DeeClarkeFuneralProgram
Leave the Clarke Family Condolences: http://bit.ly/FirstChurch_ClarkeFamilyCondolences
#fortheloveofdee
Sis. Dionesha A. Clarke Funeral Program: http://bit.ly/DeeClarkeFuneralProgram
Leave the Clarke Family Condolences: http://bit.ly/FirstChurch_ClarkeFamilyCondolences
#fortheloveofdee
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