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Charles Collins Clemons was born May 3, 1943, in Greenville, NC. He was the youngest child of the late William and Bertha Clemons. Charles was a person who took his education seriously and loved sports. In high school, he was inducted into the Honor Society and played basketball and baseball. After he graduated, he continued his love of baseball and played with various community baseball teams. Charles attend Bethel Union High School where he graduated in 1961. He continued his education at Pitt Community College where he received his degree in Welding and Air Conditioning. In 1972, this degree led him to his job at ECU Health Medical Center (formerly known as Pitt County Memorial Hospital). Charles’ jobs consisted of fabrication, welding and construction and he was good at it! Dad took pride and pleasure in what he welded, built, or fixed. He enjoyed working on the Operating Room beds. One of his projects that he was most noted for, was a device he built for Dr. Chitwood, a cardiologist, to use during his operations--and that is just ONE of his projects that he is mostly noted for. After 37 years of serving others, he retired from ECU Health Medical Center where he had performed his jobs to perfection, never met a stranger and brighten everyone’s day with his contagious smile and humorous attitude. Charles loved making people laugh, he would tell “clean” jokes and for a while, he was invited to events to start off their celebration. While working at the hospital, Charles completed another important assignment: his enlistment in the United States Army Reserves, where he entered as a Private in 1964 in the 398 Supply Company. According to Captain Meeks, Private Clemons, later promoted to Platoon Sergeant where he served as a Platoon Sergeant for all four of the Company’s platoons, attended four leadership development schools and served under eight Company Commanders where he never missed a drill. The most notable honor was given to Charles on September 26, 1988 where he received the highest company enlisted grade attainable – the rank of First Sergeant. First Sgt. Charles Clemons retired after 30 years of service. In 1973, First Sgt. Clemons met the “love of his life”, Catherine Powell Clemons. They were married in 1978 and stayed married for 47 years. They had three beautiful children. First Sgt. Clemons was a member of St. Monica Missionary Baptist Church in Grimesland, NC under the leadership of Pastor Johnnie Neal Jr. First Sergeant Clemons served God with all his heart and soul and it was his honor to be over the “Sick Report” every Sunday and to assist in the beautification of God’s Holy Temple. One of dad’s most notable project was the creation and installation of the church bell on the church grounds. One of First Sgt. Clemons’ favorite lines was “If there is anything I can do for you, let me know” and he departed his final years of church and community service on April 9, 2026 at The Service League of Greenville Hospice House. He was preceded in death by his parents: William Augustus and Bertha Mae Clemons. He leaves to cherish his memories, his beloved wife of 47 years, Catherine Powell Clemons of Stokes, NC; one sister, Mildred Cormack of Greenville, NC; his children: Doris Clemons Hill (Isaiah), Jennettia Murphy Whitaker (Anthony) and Charles Tyrell Clemons (Wendy) all of Greenville, NC; his grandchildren: Denario Brown, Ashlei Edwards, Isaiah Hill Jr., Thomas Hill, Gary (Latoya), Tre’ Stokes (Sophia), Jalanda Murphy, Tramorris Murphy, Andrell Murphy, Michelle Harper (Victor), Zion Whitaker, Tiara Clemons, and Camia Clemons; great-grandchildren: Rakeith, Laila, Cayden, Cameron, Gabrielle, Nazir, Wesley, Shaniah, Kayden, Grayson, Tre’, Karter and Cameron; and a host of nieces, nephews and kin.

Tributes

Mr. Charles Collins Clemons

May 3, 1943 - April 9, 2026