Clifford Lee Trent Jr.

Clifford Lee Trent Jr. (Lee), 76, went to home to be with the Lord on October 11, 2021, passing away peacefully at home, surrounded in love by his family. A native of Greenville, SC, he lived in Virginia for over 60 years. Lee was a 1963 graduate of Hampton High School, a 1967 graduate of Chowan University, and attended Old Dominion University. He began his employment with Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company in 1966 as a planner and then continued as a welder. Lee advanced his career as a nuclear welding inspector and at the time of his retirement, he was a certified Quality Assurance Engineer for Newport News Industrial Corporation, Huntington Ingles. He was also an active member of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing. Lee was best known for his strong and unwavering faith in the Lord, his enthusiastic involvement with the Masonic lodge where he served in many capacities, and his great affection and delight in his family. Among other passions, Lee spent his free time participating in Civil War reenactments, and sharing his love of photography by documenting each moment. He served as former-Chairman of Deacons at Grafton Baptist Church, Grafton, VA and continued his service as a former Deacon at Bethel Baptist Church, Tabb, VA. In addition to serving as Past Master of Poquoson Lodge #49 AF&AM, Lee was a member of the Newport News Scottish Rite, as well as, Past Venerable Master of the Knights of St. Andrews. He also enjoyed actively participating in several masonic related Civil War Reenactments. Lee was a former member of the Hampton Roads Jaycees, where he was a Past Vice President, receiving the Key Man Award for Exceptional Leadership. Lee is preceded in death by his mother Gloria Rawls and father, Clifford Lee Trent Sr. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carlette Davis Trent; his children, Kelley Haynie (Kirk), and Jennifer Gray (Neil). His grandchildren include Erin Houglum (Mark), Christopher Haynie, and Jackson Gray; and great grandchildren Emily and Parker Houglum. Siblings Sharon Phares (Gene) and George Rawls (Sandy), as well as his aunt, Peggy Burris; plus numerous nieces and nephews of whom he was extremely proud. A Celebration of Life will be held at Bethel Baptist Church, Tabb, VA, Monday, Oct 18th at 2:00 pm, with visitation prior to the service from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Burial, with Masonic Rites, will take place immediately following at Parklawn Memorial Park, Hampton, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel Baptist Church Building Fund, 1004 Yorktown, Rd, Yorktown, VA 23693 or Poquoson Lodge #49 AF&AM Scholarship Fund, 6 Hunts Neck Rd, Poquoson, VA 23662. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Riverside Hospice Center’s Shanelle, Heather T., Heather V., Danielle, and Tonya.