Thomas Clinton

THOMAS EDWARD CLINTON, was born on December 11, 1938 to the late John Clinton, Jr. and Maybell Clark Clinton in Cassatt, South Carolina. He accepted Christ at an early age and his religious upbringing began at Red Hill Baptist Church in Cassatt, South Carolina under the leadership of his grandfather, the late Reverend J. C. Clinton. He later joined Hyco Baptist Church in Cassatt, South Carolina where he served for over sixty years in various capacities to include Musician, Trustee, and Treasurer. In 2015, he joined Second Presbyterian Church in Camden, South Carolina and worshipped there until his death.

He received his education in the Kershaw County Public School System and graduated from Jackson High School in 1956. After high-school, he attended Denmark Area Trade School, in Denmark, SC and received his diploma in Auto Mechanics. In 1958, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.

Thomas and Ollia Mae Smith were married in May 1959 and during their over 61 years of marriage, they lived and traveled all over the world before settling down in Cassatt, South Carolina after he retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1979. Thomas later enrolled in Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina where he obtained a degree in Business Administration in 1983. Thomas began a second career with the Kershaw County Public School system and retired after working for over 10 years.

Thomas enjoyed all things electronics and playing musical instruments such as the piano and guitar. For several years he was the musician for the Camden Community Choir and the Sister Flonnie L. Butler & Singers, where they recorded the song "I know the Sun Won't Ever Go Down". He had a passion for talking and never met a stranger. In the early 80's he was known as "The Blue Streaker", which was his Citizens Band (CB) radio name. He was an amateur (ham) radio operator and knew "Morse Code", the "cell phone and internet" for his generation. Thomas volunteered for the American Red Cross for several years and used his skills to connect with people all over the world.

His youngest daughter, Mary L. "Cree" Clinton, preceded him in death along with his siblings Isaiah Clinton, Andrew Clinton, Johnnie Mae McClary, and Bennie James Clinton. Left to mourn is his devoted and loving wife, Ollia Mae Clinton; children, Janie (Charles) Briggs of Cassatt, SC, Vaughn (Beverly) Clinton of Los Alamos, NM, James (Patrice) Clinton of Awendaw, SC; Cynthia (Jonathan) Clinton-Brown of Waldorf, MD; Narlin (LaToya) Ramsuer of Chesapeake, VA; one sister, Anna Blanch Sutton of Cassatt, SC; Sister-In-Laws, Ozella W. Edge, Arlene Clinton, and Marty Clinton; grandchildren, LaToya Nesbitt, Persephone Clinton, Taurean Briggs, Preston Clinton, Matthew Brown, Vaughn Clinton II, Cynphany Brown, Isaiah Brown, Xavier Clinton, Zarina and Amiri Ramsuer; two great granddaughters, Taylor and Rikema Weathers; one great-grandson Josiah Shields; their bonus great-grandchild, Davian Miller; and many other family and friends.