Clarine C. Elebe

Clarine C. Elebe, age 100, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on August 8, 2024. Clarine Elebe was born on March 6, 1924, in Windfall North Carolina to the late Alonzo Reid and Emma Turner Reid. She is predeceased by ten siblings including her sister Elizabeth McNeil, her best friend. Clarine was educated in the public school system in Windfall, North Carolina followed by enrollment at North Carolina A&T State College (now University) in Greensboro NC. She graduated and received a BS degree in Business Education. While at A & T she was inducted into the Alpha Phi chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority in 1944. After graduation she moved to New York City where she started her career in private business and was employed by the theatrical law firm of Klein and Weir for several years. Later she joined the New York State Insurance Company until she retired to marry and raise her family. She met her husband John Elebe of Harlem NY while attending college at A & T and they reconnected when she moved to New York City. They were married on November 20,1948 and settled in Brooklyn NY where they began raising their family. From this union were born two children, Diane Dara and Richard Kevin. She was a loving, kind and devoted mother After her children were born, she became a full time Mother, Homemaker and Community Activist which are roles she loved and continued until they completed their high school education. While living in Brooklyn she was actively involved in their schools. She was a member of the Community Corporation of Bushwick serving on their board as personnel chairperson, this was a part of New York City Council Against Poverty which was active during the turbulent times of school desegregation. She joined and was an active member of Jane's Methodist Church and was Cub Scout Leader of Brooklyn Pack 29. The family moved to Teaneck NJ in November 1971. Here, she continued to be immersed in the public schools and in community affairs. Clarine was the first African American to become president of the Parent Teacher Student Association at Teaneck High School. She also served on the Township Council Committee on Affirmative Action and was a member of the Committee on Thorough and Efficient Education. Other leadership and membership affiliations were the Urban League Guild for Bergen County, North Carolina A & T Alumni Club of Bergen County, the Community Scholarship Fund of Teaneck, the NAACP and the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Soon after moving to Teaneck, she joined and became a devoted member of Teaneck United Methodist Church where she remained until her passing. She and one other African American family were the first to integrate TUMC. She served in many capacities, Board of Trustees, United Methodist Women, Sydney J Walker Learning Center and other areas of the general life of the church. She was honored by the Urban League of Bergen County for Community Service and the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority of Bergen County as a Church Woman of distinction. Most recently she was acknowledged and received honors from the State of NJ Legislative Commendation on her 100th year of birth and her many years of contribution to the people of the state of NJ. During their retirement Clarine and her husband John enjoyed traveling. They traveled throughout the United States and Internationally, including Hawaii, Alaska, Israel, Canada and several Caribbean Island cruises they were married for 61 years at the time of John's passing. She enjoyed family, and their home was the gathering place for holidays and reunions. She maintained extensive and informative written and pictorial records of family events and special occasions for members of the family. After her husband became ill, she became less active to care for him throughout a long illness. She is survived by her children, daughter Diane Elebe Williams, son Richard Elebe, son-in-love Semaj Williams, daughter-in-love Diane Elebe, 7 grandchildren; Terrence John Atkins (Kallie), Jazm’n Marie Elebe, David Watley, Omar Williams, (Shatimah) Julissa Mercedes, Randy Weeks and Kea Beasley and 13 great grandchildren who call her Gnana, Terrence J Atkins Elebe Jr., Chloe Hertilien Elebe, Sanjay Watley, Soto Watley, Sabrina Watley, Sonny Atkins Elebe, Journee Harrison, Reign Atkins Elebe, Nazir Williams, Dazani Williams, Damaris Williams, Legacy Williams, Messiah Williams, 2 special nieces Beverly A Reid and Sharon Reid and other relatives and friends. Mom, Mommy, Nana, Gnana, Clarine, Mrs. E, Ma, Aunt, will be missed but always remembered for her kindness, her compassion, her steadiness, her counsel, her commitment to family and community, her wisdom, her advice, her balanced nature and her unbounded love. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Teaneck United Methodist Church in memory of Clarine C. Elebe. Click here to donate.

Clarine C. Elebe

March 6, 1924 - August 8, 2024