Clarence Montgomery Sr.

Clarence Montgomery Sr., widower of Ruth Seymour Montgomery, was born July 28, 1934, in Clarendon County, the son of the late Sarah Sweat Smiling and Willie Montgomery Sr.

He was reared by his uncle, the late Shead Sweat Sr.

On Monday, Oct. 29, 2007, he passed at his residence after a sudden illness in New Brunswick, N.J. He was a member of Bethesda Baptist Church until he moved to New Brunswick in 1964.

Those left to forever cherish precious memories are his stepmother, Hazel S. Sweat; three daughters, Ann Montgomery of Houston, Texas, Betty Lincoln (Larry) Franklin of Rivera, Fla., and Valerie Montgomery of Sumter; four sons, Clarence Montgomery Jr. of Manning, Harry Lee (Pamela) Montgomery and Victor Montgomery, all of Sumter, and Wayne E. (Gwendolyn) Montgomery of Spartanburg; four stepchildren, Charles (Rosa) Seymour, Roland (Bessie) Seymour, Virginia (David) McGill and Gwendolyn (Al) Spann, all of Sumter; two foster brothers, Shead Sweat Jr. of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Harry Smiling Jr. of Sumter; five foster sisters, Gladys Lemon, Evelyn (Wesley) Lewis, Betty S. Witherspoon and Beverly (Will) Logan, all of Sumter, and Bernice S. (John Charles) Packett of Roland, N.C.; 20 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one grandaunt, Lillian S. Mitchell of Sumter; a brother-in-law, Eddie (Juanita) Clark Jr. of Sumter; two sisters-in-law, Almeta Montgomery of Philadelphia, Pa., and Bessie Ruth Solomon of Sumter; a stepdaughter-in-law, Rovenia Seymore of Sumter; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends, who are saddened by his death.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Alice James Montgomery; five brothers, Harry Sr., Murray Smiling Sr., John Arthur, Willie Jr. and Albertus Montgomery Sr.; a sister, Mary Elizabeth Spencer; and a stepson, Johnny Griffin Seymour.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, at Bethesda Baptist Church with the Rev. Al Smiling in charge of the eulogy, assisted by the Rev. Billy Graham.

Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Sumter Funeral Service Inc. was in charge of arrangements.