Berkley Zacheus "B.Z." Clarke, Jr.

Berkley Zacheus “B.Z.” Clarke, Jr., age 94, a lifelong resident of Sutherland, VA, passed away Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Berkley Zacheus Clarke, Sr. and Mary Alice Hovey Clarke; his twin sister, Alice Hovey Clarke Lynch and her husband, Robert Lynch; and a nephew, Van Lynch. 

B.Z. was born and raised in Sutherland and attended Central Baptist Church in his youth. He married Letha Congdon in 1953, and together they chose Ocran United Methodist Church as their church home. They raised their daughters there and were active in many ways. 

He was a graduate of Virginia Tech and was an enthusiastic Hokie fan for life. He was active in his community in a number of ways. He was a charter member of the Sutherland Ruritan Club and was a leader in the Republican party in Dinwiddie County. He had a lifelong love for sports and coaching. In addition to coaching the Ocran softball team, he spent many hours coaching Dixie Youth League baseball and softball, and was a volunteer track coach at Dinwiddie High School. His love for coaching also led him to form Camp Grandpa which allowed him to spend time with his grandchildren. 

In addition to being a lifelong farmer, B.Z. enjoyed a successful career in real estate. He was the owner of B.Z. Clarke Realty for many years, until his retirement. 

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Letha Congdon Clarke; his daughters, Janet Clarke Tapp (Wayne), Dana Clarke Shoemaker (Kurt), Judith Clarke Henshaw (Larry), and Gwyn Clarke Bridges (Vaniel); grandchildren, J.W. Tapp, III, Jennifer Traylor (Chris), Jeremy Tapp (Claudia), Matthew Shoemaker, Aaron Shoemaker, Larry L. Henshaw, II (Sara), Berkley DeLung (Markus), Zacheus Henshaw, Brandon Clarke Bridges (Cheryl), Joshua Bridges (Rachel), and Katie Price (William); great-grandchildren, Bailey, Morgan, Emma, and Corinne Traylor; Nate, Camila, and Anna Tapp; Palmer and Lily Henshaw; Noah DeLung; Josiah Bridges; Charlotte and Preston Price; Olivia and Jack Clarke Bridges; nephews, Patrick Lynch, Michael Lynch, and Berkley Lynch. 

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Ocran United Methodist Church, 20221 Cox Road, Sutherland, VA 23885, followed by interment in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Ocran United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 309, Sutherland, VA 23885 or Sutherland Ruritan Club, P.O. Box 57, Sutherland, VA 23885.