Part of Clinton Avenue has been renamed Clara E. Sampson Way in recognition of her dedication to the people of Trenton. Watch video
TRENTON -- Local political leaders and community members gathered outside of the Jerusalem Baptist Church on North Clinton Avenue on Saturday to honor a local resident for her service to the people of the capital city.
Listening to the testimony of friends and family at the ceremony in honor of Clara E. Sampson, it's easy to see how the woman everyone knows as "Mom" has left her mark on the dozens of friends and family members in attendance.
Now she has left her mark on the city -- literally.
Part of the 100 block of North Clinton Avenue has been renamed Clara E. Sampson Way in recognition of Sampson's life long dedication to helping the people of Trenton.
In 1982 Clara Sampson formed the Willing Workers. For over three decades members of the group have came together to provide meals to Trenton's homeless population.
Sampson and her group were at the church to do just that when an effort, led by her son Brian Blakely, to have the street renamed in his mother's honor in a surprise ceremony came to fruition.
Blakely gave a speech both jovial and somber in honor of his mother. He spoke of his mother's struggle through two bouts of cancer, lost loved ones and how there was no sacrifice his mother wouldn't make for her children.
"Whenever we had fried chicken my mom would just eat the back and the neck," Blakely jested. "I always just thought she liked the back and neck -- cause I thought we were rich."
He also mentioned how Sampson never fails to continue her work no matter what obstacles are placed before her.
Mayor Eric Jackson, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora and several other city and county officials were on hand to pay homage to Sampson's lifetime of selfless dedication.
"We're here today because we want to honor her and her leadership," Jackson said. "We want to honor her commitment to community and her passion... to serve the underserved."
"We want to applaud the entire Willing Workers, but certainly on this day, this hour, we want to applaud Mom for her leadership, her stewardship and her obedience to what I believe is her calling from God for the work that she does," he said.
After many kind words, a covering was removed from atop the nearby street corner sign to reveal the name change.
"If you get upset, it was the mayor's idea," Blakely told his mother, who is known for shunning attention, beforehand.
Watch Sampson's reaction below.
Greg Wright may be reached at gwright@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregTheWright. Find NJ.com on Facebook.