Charles Henry Clyburn

Charles Henry Clyburn was born on January 23, 1937, in Buffalo, New York, to Charles Dubose and Leora (Brooks) Clyburn.

Charles was educated in Catholic schools from grade school through college. He graduated from Bishop Timon High School before attending Niagara University. Following college, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving his country while experiencing the world. He began his military career with basic training in Bainbridge, MD, and was later stationed at the Naval Air Station in Port Lyautey, Morocco. While overseas, he traveled to cities and towns as a member of the Navy’s traveling basketball team. He also toured Europe, including Italy, Spain, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. He concluded his military service back in the U.S. after serving in Portsmouth, VA and Norfolk, VA.

Following his honorable discharge from the military, Charles returned to Buffalo, NY, where he was the Youth Director, and then Executive Director, of the local YMCA. This role sparked a lifelong passion for youth mentorship. His career later took him to Flint, MI and Rockford, IL, where he held similar leadership positions in community-based organizations dedicated to guiding and improving the lives of children and young adults. He was a Theater Arts Instructor at Beloit College and also worked in, and eventually retired from, the Rockford Public School System.

Charles had a deep love for acting, writing, directing, and storytelling. He wrote and directed plays for local theater groups and carried that creative passion to each city he lived in. Over the years, he was featured in numerous advertising campaigns and earned a supporting role in The History Channel’s film, Sherman’s March. Charles was a contributing author to the Voices of Laurel and was appointed to the Laurel Arts Council. He was also an active member of the National Association of Black Storytellers. Continuing his love for the stage, he founded two Reader’s Theater groups, directing performances at various venues to showcase the talents of his peers.

Faith played a large role in Charles’s life. He was raised in a Christian home and attended St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church, a historic Black Catholic mission and parish in Buffalo, NY. Later in life, he began attending Methodist churches alongside his wife. Upon moving to Maryland, Charles became a dedicated member of Allen Chapel AME Church in Silver Spring, where he was highly active in the Senior Ministry, served on the Trustee Board, and was involved in numerous church projects.

Affectionately known as “Poppi” by those near and dear to him, he leaves to cherish memories of his life his children: Tony (Lisa) Clyburn, Angela (Donald) Hampton, Adrienne (Tracy) McAbee, Alesia Clyburn, Arlene Clyburn-Miller (Michael Miller), Alan (Sabrina) Clyburn, Tiffany (Terrill) Packard; and numerous other family members and dear friends. Poppi also leaves a legacy of 20 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Elaine Marie Clyburn, his beloved wife of 63 years, Sara (Nash) Clyburn, and his great-granddaughter Remedi Clyburn.

When asked what message he wanted to send to his family and friends, Charles wrote, “keep loving, laughing, and living to the best of your God-given abilities”.

Service can be live streamed here: Allen Chapel AME Church Silver Spring https://www.youtube.com/@allenchapelamechurchsilver3614/streams

Acknowledgements

The family gratefully acknowledges the many expressions of love and kindness shown to them by words, thoughts, deeds, and prayers. We expressly want to acknowledge Brooke Grove Long Term Care and Montgomery & Prince George’s Hospice for their compassionate care during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, cards may be sent to The Clyburn Family, 15508 Clayburn Drive, Laurel, MD, 20707 and monetary donations are also accepted via CashApp ($ArleneClyburnMiller).

We entrusted our loved one’s final arrangements to

Maryland State Anatomy Board

Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home

11800 New Hampshire Avenue

Silver Spring, MD 20904