The Clark Sisters Oldest To Youngest
Isabella Floyd
Published Apr 18, 2026
The Clark sisters ages range from 74 to 62 years old. The eldest of the Clark siblings was born in 1948, while the youngest was born in 1960.
Detroit, Michigan is the birthplace and hometown of the sisters. They started singing at a young age in their father's Church of God in Christ choir.
By the late 1960s, they were performing together in church services, often singing songs composed and arranged by their mother. Many people acknowledge that the sisters have played a significant role in popularizing the genre.
Who Is The Oldest Clark Sister? -Jacky Clark
The name of the eldest Clark Sister is Jacky Clark Chisholm. Jacky was born on 29 December 1948 in Detroit Michigan.
Jacky Clark Chisholm is an American Grammy Award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, and licensed practical nurse. She is best known as the oldest member of The Clark Sisters, the American gospel singing group.
She graduated from Mumford High School in Detroit, Michigan in 1967. Expectancy, Jacky Clark Chisholm's debut solo album, was released on the Entheos Records label on 29 March 2005.
The album was recorded live at the Cathedral Center in Detroit and features background vocals by a special group of vocalists, including two of her children, Angel and Aaron Chisholm, as well as Lorenzo Clark, the son of her sister Denise Clark Bradford.
Chisholm's signature vocals can be heard on several tracks on her debut solo album, Expectancy, including Oil of God, We Are Overcomers, and the urban Gospel tune My Soul Says Yes.
The album also features a duet with Jacky and Ron Winans and a special appearance by The Clark Sisters together on Blessing Me. In 2014, Jacky released a single called My Season, which included the song On My Mind.
This was her first release of new material since her 2005 solo debut. In 2020, she released a new single called Feel Good. She has taken on major roles in nationally touring gospel stage plays, such as Lawd Have Mercy, Mama Don't, Can A Woman Make A Man Lose His Mind, and The Man of Her Dreams, in addition to her work as a performer.
Moreover, she also serves as an evangelist at her home church, Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God In Christ, located in Detroit, Michigan.
Jacky was married to Glynn Chisholm from 5th May 1973, until his death on 28th November 2019. Together, they had three children: Aaron, Michael, and Angelyn (Angel), and three grandchildren.
Angel, their daughter, currently serves as the musical director and backup singer for the group.
Denise "Niecy" Clark-Bradford, 69
Denise Clark-Bradford was born on 10 September 1953 in the United States. Denise is one of the five sisters in The Clark Sisters.
She and her sisters debut album, "Jesus Has A Lot To Give," was released on Billesse Records, which is owned by their uncle. The group is known for their unique vocal style and has won multiple Grammy Awards.
After quitting her sisters' band in 1986, Denise was portrayed with her sisters in a biographical movie produced by Lifetime in 2020.
Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, 68
Elbernita was born on 15 November 1954 in Detroit, Michigan. "Twinkie" is a nickname for Elbernita Clark-Terrell, who is recognized as the "Mother of Contemporary Gospel Music."
Clark is not only a celebrated vocalist, but also a highly-regarded musician. Her exceptional skills on the B3 Hammond Organ have earned her the title "Queen of the B3 Hammond Organ." In 2014, she was inducted into the Hammond Organ Hall of Fame.
During the 105th International Holy Convocation in 2012, Clark was recognized as an influential living legend by Judith Christie McAllister and the International Music Department of the Church of God in Christ.
Additionally, Clark was presented with an honorary doctorate of sacred music from Dr. Tony Lewis and the Christian Bible Institute and Seminary (CBIS).
Dorinda Clark-Cole, 65
Dorinda was born on 19 October 1957 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Clark-Cole, who is a member of The Clark Sisters, has been awarded two Grammy Awards for her contributions to the group.
She is also widely recognized in the music industry as the "Rose of Gospel Music." Her musical journey began when she was young, singing alongside her siblings Karen, Twinkie, Jacky, and Denise.
Clark-Cole credits her mother for her passionate and compelling vocal style, which she recognized in her daughter from a young age. While other children were playing outside during the 1960s and 1970s, Clark-Cole and her sisters spent their time honing their familial harmonies.
Karen Clark Sheard, 62
Karen was born on 15 November 1960 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Clark-Cole currently holds the position of First Lady in the COGIC denomination.
Clark-Sheard is the youngest member of the gospel group The Clark Sisters, and she is also the mother of contemporary gospel singer and actress Kierra "Kiki" Sheard.
She has released five solo albums, collaborated with her son J. Drew Sheard II and her daughter Kierra Sheard, and has contributed to seventeen albums with The Clark Sisters.
While The Clark Sisters were on break, Clark-Sheard recorded her successful solo album Finally Karen, featuring her hit song "Balm in Gilead." The album also included the R&B-influenced "Just for Me" and a duet with R&B singer Faith Evans called "Nothing Without You."
After recording two more live albums, The Heavens Are Telling and It's Not Over (which included some studio recordings), Clark-Sheard released All in One, her first studio-recorded album in 13 years.
