Rev. Charles Elliott Cleary November 6, 1931- March 23, 2021
Gordon, GA - Charles E. Cleary, 89, peacefully passed away at
his home on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. A graveside service will
be held at 2:00 PM Saturday March 27, 2021 at Ramah Baptist
Church Cemetery Gordon, Georgia. Visitation will be from 12:30
PM – 1:30 PM at Couey-Reece- Stanley Funeral Home, Gordon.
Charles was born in Savannah, Georgia on November 6, 1931 to
Howard Columbus Cleary and Reba Humphries Cleary. After
being raised and finishing high school in Sylvania, Georgia, he
left to fulfill university and post university masters and doctoral
studies at Brewton – Parker College in Mount Vernon, Georgia,
Mercer University (class of 1955) in Macon, Georgia, and The
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
He later attended Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia
furthering his education and certifications.
Early in his university studies, he met the love of his life, Martha
Frances Johnson. They were married in 1953. Together, Martha
and Charles spent their early years supporting one another
through school, building churches and communities, and
developing lifelong friendships. Charles declared to the church
at the age of 15 years old his intent to go into the ministry. The
church requested for him to wait until he was 18 years old
before he gave his first sermon. Charles knew his purpose and
passion early on in life and fulfilled this purpose through
professional preaching and teaching. During and after serving
as a Naval Reserves Chaplain, he was the pastor in charge or
served as interim minister, for multiple churches across Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia. Not only did he minister to

the young and old alike, professionally he taught, educating
high school and college age students; preparing the young to
succeed in life academically and spiritually. Charles served
many years with the Bibb County Board of Education as
Director of Chapter 1 Programs. He retired from this position in
1990.
Charles worked tirelessly professionally and personally. He
enjoyed being outside and took pleasure in hard work
especially when he could physically see the beauty of his labor.
As an example, at 80 years old, he had plenty of funds to hire
someone to install an irrigation system across his property.
Instead, he dug by hand a ditch across three acres to lay his
own irrigation system to water his beautiful collection of fruit
trees and flowering trees and plants. He shared his physical
strength and knowledge to help others in need, his family, his
friends, and neighbors. Nothing made him happier than giving
and helping others. His famous line of, "Let me know if I can
help you" was not just a cliché but genuine in nature as he truly
desired and needed to help others.
Charles sincerely loved his family. Anyone who met him knew
he loved and cherished his family and dedicated his life to
ensuring they were cared for and loved. His kind and gentle
spirit was shared beyond his family into the community.
Charles served and volunteered for multiple community
organizations. He most enjoyed being a member of the Exchange Club of Macon where he received numerous awards
and accolades for his service to community.
When Charles wasn't working, involved in community activities,
or playing with grandchildren, he enjoyed a long day of fishing
and playing cards with his wife at his other home on the
Savannah River. "The Cabin" was his paradise on earth, a
retreat with so many fond memories.
In life he had what every man seeks and now he has eternity.
Rev. Charles E. Cleary was preceded in death by his wife Martha
Johnson Cleary, his youngest sister Elsie Blanton (husband Billy
Blanton) , and his parents Howard and Reba Cleary. Family left
to cherish memories of Charles are his sister Shirley Mahaffy,
his son Charles Cleary, Jr and wife Sherri, and daughter
Elizabeth Cleary and husband Dr. Shahriar Sedghi. His
grandchildren Brandilyn Cleary and husband Ricky Evans, and
Dannielle and husband Sean Pittman, Sarra Sedghi, Lea Sedghi,
and Ana Sedghi. Great-grandchildren Dixi Evans, River Evans,
Bradon and Danyelle Pittman. Charles is survived by numerous
dear nieces and nephews and loved great nieces and nephews.

Couey Reese Stanley Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.