Clarence Nelson Dunford was born August 19, 1917. at McComas, West Virginia. He was converted and received into the Elkhorn Methodist Church when he was in his middle teens. The Reverend John E. Davis, his devoted pastor, gave him careful guidance and assistance which lead him within two years to recognize his call to preach. He received his license to preach in Bluefield in 1939. He entered Berea College from which he graduated in 1943. Following graduation, he served the Hazard Circuit in Kentucky. While attending the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Brother Dunford served the Mitchell Circuit in the South Georgia Conference. Following his graduation from Emory University in 1947, he spent one year in the Kentucky Conference as Associate Director of the Big Sandy Valley Larger Parish and as pastor of Elkhorn Church, Praise. Kentucky. He transferred to the Holston Conference in 1948, where he served the following appointments: Cedar Springs, Boissevain, Dante (Knoxville), Mt. Vale, and Pine Grove Park (Johnson City).
On June 8, 1946. C. N. Dunford and Miss Thelma Baumgardner of Rural Retreat, Virginia, were united in marriage. To this union were born two children — Margaret Ellen and Nelson.
Clarence Dunford was a devoted husband and father, and a conscientious minister. He loved people and had a sympathetic understanding of their problems and needs. He preached sermons that were straightforward, simple, short, and were interspersed with short bits of humor. Those who knew him best, knew that he was one to go far beyond the call of duty. Even though he was taken in what would seem to be the prime of life, his ministry will continue to live on in the minds of his friends and of those to whom he ministered.
Hal S. Cooper, Sunday School Superintendent at Piney Grove Park, said that the closing hours of Mr. Dunford's life made a lasting mark upon his life. As he lay on his death bed, Clarence would preach full sermons without a moment of hesitation, quoting his text and outlining some very impressive messages. His prayers were moving upon the hearts and minds of those who heard them.
On November 4, 1955, Clarence Dunford slipped out to be with the Master. At his funeral, held at Piney Grove Park, the Reverends J. Woodford Stone, John E. Davis, and Virgil Anderson paid very high tribute to the memory of one who had served so well.
Submitted By: R. Kyle Tomlinson – Holston Conference Journal – 1957 – Pages: 238 - 239
Clarence Nelson Dunford was born August 19, 1917. at McComas, West Virginia. He was converted and received into the Elkhorn Methodist Church when he was in his middle teens. The Reverend John E. Davis, his devoted pastor, gave him careful guidance and assistance which lead him within two years to recognize his call to preach. He received his license to preach in Bluefield in 1939. He entered Berea College from which he graduated in 1943. Following graduation, he served the Hazard Circuit in Kentucky. While attending the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Brother Dunford served the Mitchell Circuit in the South Georgia Conference. Following his graduation from Emory University in 1947, he spent one year in the Kentucky Conference as Associate Director of the Big Sandy Valley Larger Parish and as pastor of Elkhorn Church, Praise. Kentucky. He transferred to the Holston Conference in 1948, where he served the following appointments: Cedar Springs, Boissevain, Dante (Knoxville), Mt. Vale, and Pine Grove Park (Johnson City).
On June 8, 1946. C. N. Dunford and Miss Thelma Baumgardner of Rural Retreat, Virginia, were united in marriage. To this union were born two children — Margaret Ellen and Nelson.
Clarence Dunford was a devoted husband and father, and a conscientious minister. He loved people and had a sympathetic understanding of their problems and needs. He preached sermons that were straightforward, simple, short, and were interspersed with short bits of humor. Those who knew him best, knew that he was one to go far beyond the call of duty. Even though he was taken in what would seem to be the prime of life, his ministry will continue to live on in the minds of his friends and of those to whom he ministered.
Hal S. Cooper, Sunday School Superintendent at Piney Grove Park, said that the closing hours of Mr. Dunford's life made a lasting mark upon his life. As he lay on his death bed, Clarence would preach full sermons without a moment of hesitation, quoting his text and outlining some very impressive messages. His prayers were moving upon the hearts and minds of those who heard them.
On November 4, 1955, Clarence Dunford slipped out to be with the Master. At his funeral, held at Piney Grove Park, the Reverends J. Woodford Stone, John E. Davis, and Virgil Anderson paid very high tribute to the memory of one who had served so well.
Submitted By: R. Kyle Tomlinson – Holston Conference Journal – 1957 – Pages: 238 - 239
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