Ella Louise Whatley was born in Athens, Georgia, on August 4, 1943. One of eight children born to Martha Elizabeth Badger, daughter of Gracie Badger. Her brothers and sisters included Valjean, Carolyne, Frederick, Edward, Dolores, Gwendolyn, and Jerry. It was in 1945, at the of 2, when Ella arrived in New York with her mother. Raised by Martha E. Badger and Edward Whatley, New York City became Ella's home, where she would spend the rest of her life. Ella attended Bronx Elementary School P.S. 89, Junior High School 136 in Manhattan, and Seward Park High School in Manhattan. In later years, Ella would attend Malcolm King College in New York City and The College of New Rochelle. Ella enjoyed many years as a Home Health Aid before her retirement. Other work experiences include waitressing, medical receptionist, clerk, and teacher's aide. Ella began a relationship with Pete Yarbrough, and soon after, the two had a son named Robert. Although the relationship ended, Ella would eventually marry her new love interest, John A. Butler Sr. Together, the two had five sons named John, James, Jerome, Dwayne, and Derrick. After the death of her husband John on May 4, 1972, Ella was forced to raise her children alone, making difficult decisions she felt were in the best interest of her children. Years later, Ella met John Edmonds Jr. Although the two never married, John loved Ella and all her children equally and became instrumental in raising the children for many years. Sometime after, Ella would fall in love and marry her late husband, Lebourne A. Clarke. The two would enjoy their lives together until his death on December 22, 2019. Ella is preceded in death by her son Derrick Butler and her husband, Lebourne A. Clarke. Cherishing her memory, Ella Louise Clarke leaves behind sons John A. Whatley, James T. Butler, Jerome Butler, and Dwayne E. Butler, Sr., sixteen grandchildren, and friends that will truly miss her.