Clarence Perry Jr.

Clarence Perry, Jr., 79, was born March 19, 1943, Cameron South Carolina, to the late Clarence Perry, Sr., and the late Mamie Randolph Perry. He gracefully entered eternal rest on November 18, 2022, at Colleton Medical Center, Walterboro, South Carolina after an extended illness. Clarence began his education at the Mount Carmel Baptist Church Training School, graduating from Wilkinson High School, Orangeburg, South Carolina in 1961. After high school, Clarence joined the United States Navy. His tours of duty included Great Lakes, Michigan, Pensacola, Florida, Barcelona, Spain and Norfolk, Virginia. During the Cuban Crisis, Clarence served on the USS Chukawan, a fuel tanker. Following his military service, Clarence returned to Orangeburg and worked at Fabric Services and as a finish carpenter and house painter until he retired. Clarence loved sports, particularly baseball, and basketball. He loved reading sports magazines, the encyclopedia and watching game shows and cowboy movies on television. He fascinated everyone with his memory of sports statistics and historical facts, as well as trivia about his classmates. Clarence was a lifelong member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, where he faithfully served as a Trustee. He was a peaceful and soft-spoken person who loved elderly people and children. He leaves to cherish his memory; one son, Stephen Johnson of Kernersville, North Carolina; one grandson, Lamont Johnson, Kernersville, North Carolina; siblings, Della Mae Ellis, Brooklyn, New York; Elease P. Brown, Irmo, South Carolina; Thelma P. Caldwell, (Joseph), Orangeburg South Carolina; Barbara P. Grainger (James), Atlanta Georgia; and Paul E. Perry, Orangeburg, South Carolina. Clarence adored his nieces and nephews and enjoyed going fishing with them and playing checkers and sports. They include Deborah Ellis Rutherford, Charles Ellis Jr, Troy Ellis, and Monique Ellis all of Brooklyn, New York; Kelvin Perry, Martinsville, Virginia; Victor Brown of Columbia, SC; Adrienne Grainger-Smith and Daren James Grainger of Atlanta Georgia; and Paula Perry Hampton of Fort Mill, South Carolina. He also leaves a host of other grand- nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, and devoted friends to remember him in love. We ask that everyone please follow the COVID-19 rules and guidelines during the visitation and service.

Tributes

Clarence Perry Jr.

March 19, 1943 - November 18, 2022