Rev. Charles T McClury Sr.

Charles Thomas McClury, Sr. was born on July 29, 1930 In Indianapolis, Indiana (Haughville) to Thomas and Octavia McClury. Charles was the youngest of six children, having one brother Vannoy and four sisters: Virginia, Marjorie, Dorothy and Annie. He attended IPS #63 and Crispus Attucks High School.

Charles married as a teenager and had two sons, Charles T. and Ralph Steven, from this marriage to Georgia Tucker. He later met and married the love of his life, Rosetta Mae Osborne, and fathered nine children, two sons and seven daughters: Eric Dorman, Debria Lynn, Karla Jo Ann, Anthony Dale, Rita Kay, Wonna Lee, Donna Lee, Janice Louise, and Tianna Faye. Charles and Rosetta were happily married for 49 years.

Charles accepted Christ as his Savior at a young age. He loved God. He loved to tell how he had grown up across the street from the church and had been going to church since he was a child. Charles served as a deacon for many years and was called to preach in 1974. He served as the assistant pastor at Puritan Missionary Baptist Church (MBC) and Westwood (MBC) where he served and ministered as pastor for 16 years. He previously pastored Canaan (MBC) here in Haughville for a number of years. He also served as servant pastor at New Revelation (MBC) in Pasadena, California for several years. He was last attending Phillips Temple CME Church.

Rev. McClury loved all his family and he loved people. He was friendly, generous and kind. Charles was a diligent hard worker and provider for his family. Charles started working as a young man. After several years, he became employed and labored at the National Malleable & Steel Castings Company in Indianapolis from 1951 to 1957 before going to work at the Chrysler Corporation Foundry in Indianapolis. He worked there from May, 1957 as a core maker and shop steward, ministering to many of the workers in their time of need. He retired in January, 1985 after 28 years.

Rev. McClury enjoyed bowling, fishing, horseshoes, sports, checkers, driving, eating, and playing board games with his children and friends. Rev. McClury loved both giving and receiving gifts. His hand and home were always open to those in need of food, fellowship or wise council. He drove the church bus for Puritan MBC for many years and served in Vacation Bible School every summer. Rev. McClury sang in the choir at Puritan MBC as well as in the male chorus. He was an active member of the Shepherd’s Center here in the city. Rev. McClury always attended all of the school plays, organizations, PTA meetings, Open Houses, baptisms, weddings, and graduations of his family. He loved to barbecue and enjoyed picnics and holidays, especially Christmas and his birthday! He loved road trips. He and his wife Rosetta drove round-trip to California once and traveled there once by train before moving there to live. They lived in Pasadena and West Covina for several years to be near some of his daughters who had moved there. Charles also traveled to Europe, Italy, and many other cities with his youngest daughter and her family.

Rev. McClury was honest, strong, disciplined, faithful, truthful, and kind. He seemingly never met a stranger. Together he and Rosetta were community activists and participated faithfully in the National Baptist Convention. They also worked the polls at election time.

Rev. McClury lived a happy, vibrant, and generous Christian life and departed this earthly life on November 3, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosetta, and one son, Charles T. Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory, his children Ralph (Mary), Eric (Cathy), Debria, Karla (Ollie, deceased), Anthony (Robin), Rita (David), Wonna (David), Donna (Karlton), Janice (Timothy), and Tianna (LaRon). He also leaves a host of family including beloved sons- and daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces, 33 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and nine great great grandchildren. He also leaves an additional ten step children from late life marriages to Maxine and Ethel (both deceased), saints, friends, and congregants who all loved and respected him, and whose lives he touched.

Rev. McClury loved the Word of God and he studied diligently. His favorite scripture that he quoted regularly was Psalms 24:1: “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (KJV). His favorite hymn was Blessed Assurance. His burning desire was for others to come to know Jesus our Lord and Savior.

We all take comfort in knowing and celebrating the reality that Charles Thomas McClury Sr. lived a good life and is now in the presence of the Lord. “We are confident I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8 – KJV). “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalms 116:15 – KJV). “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4 – KJV).

A visitation for Charles will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 1301 N Goodlet Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46222, followed by a celebration of life funeral service at 12:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crownhill.org for the McClury family.