Charlie Lee Clemons, Sr. was born June 6, 1942 in Harlem, New York. He was the oldest of none children born to the late Gonzia Lee Green, Sr. and Lillie Mae Butler. Charlie was granted his angel wings on September 8, 2018. In his final days, he was surrounded by his loving wife, children, family and a host of friends. Charlie was a graduate of Anderson High School. He retired in 1993 from R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company after 31 years of service. Charlie or "Big Charlie", as he was fondly known, enjoyed reading his bible and watching his Dallas Cowboys. "Try Jesus" were the words outlined on his cars and T'shirts. He plastered the same words all throughout Winston-Salem, the city he loved so dearly. Charlie volunteered in various ministries and started every conversation with a bible verse and ended it with a prayer. He strongly believed in sharing the gospel by shouting the word on every street corner, local radio station and through his prison ministry. He jokingly said to anyone who would listen, "old Charlie was different from new Charlie" and then reminisce for a bit, stop mid-sentence with a smile, point directly at you while looking in your eyes and say, "Try Jesus."Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, Gonzia Lee Green, Sr. and Lillie Mae Butler; his brothers: Vernon Butler, Randy Butler and Michael Green. Big Charlie is survived by his wife, Renay Clemons; daughters: Cynthia Frasier of Las Vegas, NV, Charlene Clemons, Yvette (Daryl) Pugh, both of Winston-Salem, and Charletta Vance of Kernersville; son, Charlie Lee (Evette) Clemons, Jr. of Kernersville; two step daughters: Kautiva Love and Brittney Reese of Winston-Salem; 13 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; brothers: Bernard Clemons, Sr. (Priscilla Mathis) of District Heights, MD, Rushie Clemons of Bronx, NY, Larry Butler and Calvin Butler both of Winston-Salem, and Gonzia Lee (Signe) Green, Jr. of Rossbille, MD; two sisters-in-law: Marcia (Mike) Bowens of Winston-Salem and Gail Love of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; three brothers-in-law: Jeffrey Love, Darryl Love and Jimmy Love, all of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many longtime friends.

Funeral service will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at Stokesdale Church of God. The family will greet friends 30 minutes prior to the service. Interment in Piedmont Memorial Gardens.

For a copy of the funeral program, click here