Clarence Tokley

He was known as “Little Clarence”, “Junior”, “Brother” and a nephew who never mastered the ability to pronounce “Uncle” simply called him “Unc.” Clarence Wilson Tokley, Jr. (named by his two sisters, Hilda Elizabeth and Kathleen Rowena) was born on July 9, 1932. He was delivered at his parents’ home in Kent County, Dover, Delaware. He was the youngest of six children. While at home on Thursday, August 29, 2013, Clarence went home to meet his Heavenly Father and joined those who went before him: his wife, Hazel Fountain Tokley; his father, Clarence W. Tokley, Sr.; his mother, Annie V. Purnell-Tokley; step-mother, Mary Green-Tokley; his sister, Hilda Tokley Ricketts-Seymore; brothers, Edward Tokley, Wilmer Tokley and Charles Tokley. Quick-witted and often fast-tempered, Little Clarence attended Blocksom Elementary School in Blocksom, Delaware, under the tutelage of Mrs. Gertrude Johnson and Mrs. Mary T. Adams, where he graduated from the 8th grade. From Blocksom, he attended Frederick Douglass School in Seaford, Delaware under Professor Robert Thomas, principal, where young Tokley learned to play the fearsome bass saxophone (with which he would later terrify one of his nephews). Graduating from Frederick Douglass, young Clarence earned his diploma from William C. Jason Comprehensive High School in Georgetown, Delaware. After graduating, he went to work at the DuPont Company in Seaford, Delaware. In 1952, Clarence was drafted in the United States Army and served honorably during the Korean War. Returning home, he would continue a full personal and professional life returning to work at DuPont, then as a truck driver, (the last company, Wheatly Trucking). Truck driving provided him with many experiences and opportunities to know the world and to realize God’s will, first hand. Clarence joined and continued to be a member at Trinity United Methodist Church in Bridgeville, DE. At a young age of 14, he sang in the choir. Clarence was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion. He was also known as “Brother”, “Dad”, “Grand Pop”, “Great Grand Pop” and “Great-Great Grand Pop”. Clarence was preceded in death by four of his children, Wilson, Kinney, Charles and Hilda. He leaves to cherish his memory, his sister, Kathleen Tokley-Copeland; mother of 11 of his children, Carolyn “Mickey” Tokley; 16 children, Bonnie, Bynita, Charles “Chas” (Kathleen), Nila (Freddie), Clarence Jerome, Marcella (Herbert), Tyrone, Bridget (Dwight), Kyle (Oscar), Dana, Tamika, Jeffrey, Chris (Charlene), Terry, Linda, and Ivy; three sisters-in-law, Betty Frazier Fountain, Ethel Mae Fountain and Beatrice Fountain; 63 grandchildren; 90 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; one special friend, Gloria; three special buddies, Stanley Ricketts, Marion Johnson and Andre Trammell. We who miss him, weep for Clarence but if only we could see him on the other side, we would know that he’s a hero of a Welcome-Home party; and in the hereafter, welcome-home parties last for an eternity. May God Bless him and his family.

Clarence Tokley

July 9, 1932 - August 29, 2013