Ocean Beach 05
Official Obituary of

Clementine J. Durham

February 5, 1936 ~ March 12, 2021 (age 85) 85 Years Old

Clementine Durham Obituary

Clementine Jones Durham was born on February 05, 1936, in Lumpkin, Georgia (Stewart County) to the parentage of Rufus and Marjorie Glenn Jones. "Tiny" as she was affectionately known by family ("Clem" by friends and co-workers), accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Zion Watch Baptist Church in Lumpkin, Georgia by the late Reverend Gore. She completed her formal education at the Lumpkin High and Industrial School, graduating in May 1953.

In the fall of 1953, "Tiny" enrolled at Albany State College in Albany, Georgia where she majored in Elementary Education. While at Albany State, she met Otis Durham of Pelham, Georgia, and was united in holy matrimony on June 13, 1954, until his untimely death in January 1980. Six children were born to this union: Charles Zebedee, Cedric Lenard, Carl Edward, Crystal Benita, Lori Denise and Otis Jr. (Pete). Otis, "Tiny", Zebedee and Cedric relocated to Cleveland, Ohio from Oceanside, California in March, 1961. In their new home (Cleveland, Ohio), they joined Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Henry J. Payden, Sr. The following year, they adopted the teachings of the Nation of Islam, under the Leadership of the late Honorable Elijah Muhammad (the late Minister Theodore Hamzah, Cleveland, Ohio Mosque.)

"Tiny" was a stay-at-home mom until 1973, when she entered the work force after her youngest child "Pete" started school. Later that year, she was hired at the old Richmond Brothers plant on East 55th Street in Cleveland, Ohio. Her duties included working with tailors on custom-orders. She especially loved working with Angelo, one of the tailors. She came home retelling often of his childhood in his native home Italy. She left Richmond Brothers and was hired at The Ohio Bell Telephone Company in February 1974 as a Long Distance Operator. She remained in that position until she retired in August 1994.

Once retired, "Tiny" had plenty of time to bake and cook her finger-licking meals, designed and planted her beautiful vegetable and flower gardens annually. She always had the best looking yard in the community. "Tiny" had been an active member at Holy Trinity Baptist Church for over 40 years under the Leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Henry J. Payden, Sr. and currently the Rev. Dr. Chelton C. Flanagan. She proudly served on the Nurses Guild and actively supported and loved her "Holy Trinity", planting flowers on the church grounds.

Preceded her in death were her parents, Rufus and Marjorie Glenn Jones; siblings: Frederick Rufus, Lillie Esther and Evelyn Annette; in-laws: Bernice Jones, Carey Durham, Charlie Durham, Ben Bryant, James Little, Cleveland Durham, Mary Durham, Clifford Daniels and Roy Durham {Joe).

"Tiny" passed away quietly on Friday, March 12, 2021, at Pleasantview Care and Hospice Center in Parma, Ohio after a lengthy illness. She leaves to cherish her memory children: Charles Zebedee, Cedric Lenard, Carl Edward, Crystal Benita, Lori Denise and Otis Jr. (Kitty); grandchildren: Shante, Marchelle, Khristian, Cori, Brittany, Ellen, Jairon, Charles Jr. "CJ" and Trent; ten great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; siblings: Paul Lawrence Jones and Melodine Martin, both of Columbus, Georgia, Marvin Glenn Jones (Lumpkin, Georgia); sister/cousins: Gloria Jean Bost, (Lumpkin, Georgia) and Patricia Ann Binion (Roy) (Atlanta, Georgia); aunt: Katie Glenn (McDonough, Georgia); cousins: Willie Gee Wheeler {Columbus, Georgia), John Glenn, Jr. and Kenneth Glenn (Kathy) of McDonough, Georgia, Sheila Warren (Exley), Ross Glenn, Neva Glenn, Vernon Glenn all of Tampa, Florida; in-laws: Margaret Jones (Los Angeles, California), Everett Durham (Raffie), Jessie Durham, Ophelia Durham, Helen Bryant, Ruth Little (Detroit, Michigan), Quinton Durham, Sr., Mary Daniels and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

If we, the family had neglected to list any family members, please charge it to our heads and not to our hearts.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clementine J. Durham, please visit our floral store.

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Services

Public Viewing
Friday
March 19, 2021

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Watson's Funeral Home
10913 Superior Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44106

Visitation
Friday
March 19, 2021

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Watson's Funeral Home
10913 Superior Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44106

Funeral Service
Saturday
March 20, 2021

9:00 AM
Holy Trinity Baptist Church
3808 East 131st Street
Cleveland, OH 44120

Video is available for this event


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