Clara Elizabeth Riddick

Beautiful.

Stylish.

Funny.

Giving.

Honest.

Saved.

Those a few words that often described the life and spirit of our Clara. Our beloved mother, Aunt, sister, grandmother, and friend, Clara Elizabeth Riddick, was peacefully called home to be with Our Lord, Thy God , at 6:23 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, 2023 in Virginia Beach.    She was surrounded by family when she answered God’s call.

Clara Elizabeth Wilkins was born on November 23, 1953 in Chesapeake, VA.  She was the seventh child of the late Neil and Clara Wilkins.  Her parents introduced her, at an early age, to God the Father; God the Son, God the Holy Ghost! This foundation served Clara well during her life and her interactions with others was based on her lifelong relationship with the Word.

She grew up in the Crestwood Area of Chesapeake; where she attended Crestwood High School.  She married and moved to Norfolk, Virginia, where she began working at Steward Sandwiches on the assembly line. She then worked for the Virginia Pilot-Ledger Star assisting in the process of preparing print for publication.  She worked at schools and restaurants in the Tidewater Area, mainly as a food preparer and cook.

Clara is well known for sharing God’s Word and for her spiritual life.  She was indeed a fashionista.  When you saw Sister Clara she was always coordinated from head to toe!  She loved putting on her best on Sundays to attend New Calvary Baptist Church.

She avidly collected the finest in angels, hats, dresses, purses, coats, boots, and jewelry.  She loved to prepare and cook her favorite dishes: bread pudding, lasagna, oxtails, steak, seafood, homemade potato salad and dressing. 

Clara has always been known to share her thoughts honestly and uncensored!  No one can ever say they were confused about how Clara felt about any topic because her words were always given with clarity, sincerity, and love. She adored her family and especially her children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews.

Clara is preceded in death by her siblings Neil Wilkins Jr., Erma Malone-Bey, Essie Caniely, David Wilkins, Samuel Wilkins, and Laverne Ivery.  Her son, Andre Wilkins, also ascended to Heaven before her.

She leaves to cherish her memory, sons; Juniors and Bernie Riddick; Juniors’ wife, Devette Copeland-Riddick, their children Demarko, Jamonte, Jakeira, and Josiah Copeland-Riddick.  Her sisters Beatrice Wilkins, Belinda Davis, and brother Melvin Wilkins and his wife Melvina Wilkins, also are left to mourn her loss and to bask in a lifetime of love and memories they made together.