Clarence Cannon

Clarence entered his heavenly home Tuesday, September 27th.  At that moment, he was ushered into the presence of his personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and welcomed by precious family members and friends that preceded him in death; his parents, Orville and Daisy Cannon; his mother and father in-law, Walter and Corrine Allen; his brothers and sisters, William, Robert and Ed Cannon, Evelyn Pass, Eula Alford; his brothers and sisters in-law, Calvin Alford, Lamar Allen, Lloyd Dawkins, Jack Diggs, Richard Holcomb, Bill Miller, Ed Pass, Bob Vermillion, Betsey, Dreda, and Mildred Cannon along with a host of friends.

Clarence was one of eleven children born October 2, 1933, in Atlanta, Georgia.  He grew up in Atlanta, where he attended school at Faith Elementary and graduated from Hoke Smith High School.  At age 15, he accepted the Lord as his personal Savior and was baptized in the Capitol Avenue Baptist Church of Atlanta. Upon his high school graduation, the Lord called him into the ministry.  He graduated from Truett McConnell Jr. College in Cleveland, Georgia, Mercer University in Macon, Georgia and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.  Clarence was ordained into fulltime ministry in August 1956, and actively served until 2020. 

In 1952, at Truett McConnell College, Clarence met a beautiful woman, Patricia Lee Allen, from Chicopee, Georgia.  Their first date was dinner at Smiths’ Soda Shop.  With only a few quarters in his pocket, he was hoping to impress her with a delicious hamburger and shake. Their love blossomed and on June 9, 1956, they married. Clarence went on to complete seminary and they later had two children, Lamar and Arlene. Faithfully supported by Pat, Clarence began his ministerial service as a senior pastor.  Together, they served the Lord and His people for 62 years. 

Clarence is most fondly known as a loving husband, daddy, grandfather/great grandfather (aka:  Gpop), son, brother, and friend.  He lived a life of servitude and loved others. He enjoyed spending time with his family, watching sports, playing and listening to music, working in the yard, traveling, relaxing either by the beach or in the mountains, reading, and daily diving into God’s Word. 

Over the course of his ministry, Clarence served as senior pastor at Edwards Street Baptist Mission (Griffin, GA), First Baptist Church (Sylvania, GA), Orchard Knob Baptist Church (Atlanta, GA), Meadows Baptist Church (College Park, GA), Central Baptist Church (Lawrenceville, GA), Riverview Baptist Church (Snellville, GA). After a brief period of retirement, he served as interim for several churches, retiring as pastor at Apple Valley Baptist Church (Jefferson, GA).  While he was pastor, he was involved in other ministries:  a Trustee of Truett McConnell College (2 years), Georgia Baptist Chairman ~ State Missions Committee, General Chairman for the Atlanta Tony Fontiane Youth Crusade (1972), Moderator for the Fairburn and Gwinnett Baptist Association, author of devotions and Sunday School Lessons for The Christian Index, Leader of the Gwinnett Metro and Chattahoochee Baptist Association Senior Adult Ministry.

Although Clarence served within many churches, the legacy that he leaves for his beloved family is the mantra that he lived by:  Foremost, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” and “Love your neighbor has yourself.” Matthew 22:37 ~ 39.  Secondly, serve the Lord and always do what is right.

Clarence is survived by his devoted bride of 66 years Pat (momma), his son and his wife, Lamar and Cindy Cannon; his daughter and her husband, Arlene and Ken Thomas; his pride and joy his precious grandchildren Casey Cannon, Clay Cannon, Delana and Jared Crandall, and Rachel and Brian Edwards; and his beautiful great grandchildren, Luke Thomas Crandall, Kenslee Joy Crandall and Cole Allen Edwards; his sisters, Janice Burton, Irene Dawkins, Mildred Diggs, Melba Miller, Minnie Vermillion, Eddie Ruth and Denny Hinton, along with many nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to the administration and staff members at The Phoenix at Lake Lanier Senior Living and INSPIRE Hospice Care staff for the outpouring of love, nurturing, and attentive care.  The staff and community of friends enriched Clarence’s life and family. 

Celebration of Life is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 30, 2022 at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Drive, Gainesville, GA 30504 with Dr. Zack Williams, Senior Pastor at Flat Creek Baptist Church officiating and prayer with Rev. Clack Stubbs, retired minister and dear friend. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Thursday, September 29, 2022 from 5 ~ 8 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Georgia Baptist Children’s Home, PO Box 329, Palmetto, GA 30268 or Truett McConnell University Ministerial Scholarship Program, 100 Alumni Drive, Cleveland, GA 30528 or https://truett.edu/advancement/scholarships/  

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com