“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
And wait for the Lord he did. September 2, 1938 – February 27, 2023.
Clyde Ronald Dalton Deatherage grew up in Greensboro, NC one of 11 siblings. A graduate of Grimsley High School, he did not shy away from loud engines or fast cars. Entrepreneurial by nature he accepted many challenges.
One of his greatest honors was his service in the NC Army National Guard where he earned the rank of Captain in the 113th Field Artillery Group, an honor for which he retired.
These things make up Clyde’s experiences, and yet his deep and humble soul was so much more. Clyde was my dad. Our dad. He is the example that showed us what it meant to love unconditionally and what it felt like to be loved without conditions. The importance of giving acceptance without contempt. How to balance discipline with grace and kindness. What it looked like to forgive what feels unforgivable. And that pure faith and trust in the Lord’s divine plan will carry you through anything. Anything.
I’d be remiss to not mention the influence of dad’s intentional Christianity. Growing up as a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, his faith followed his life and growing family to Eden where he served as Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at Spray Baptist Church and later as Deacon and founding member of Growing Oaks Community Church.
Aside from Christ and his children, among dad’s greatest loves was his wife, Melanie Thornburg Deatherage, who preceded him in death May of 2021. Sixty-one years of marriage – half of his heart had been waiting in heaven.
Also preceding Clyde in death were his parents, Ada and Walter Deatherage, grandson, Caleb Deatherage, in addition to his six brothers and four sisters. Can you imagine the reunion had on February 27 at 1205 in the morning.
Prayerful that we can honor your memory and until we meet again dad, what a glorious day that will be: daughter Elisa Haynes (Bryant), son Greg Deatherage (Amanda), son Jason Deatherage (Jennifer), daughter Elizabeth Edwards (John), grand children Clara Haynes, Gabrielle Deatherage, Ethan Deatherage, and Jacob Deatherage.
Clyde’s funeral will be graveside only at 11 am on Thursday, March 2nd at Guilford Memorial Park, 6000 W. Gate City Blvd. Greensboro, NC, with our family Reverend Johnny Roberts officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Rockingham County Veterans Coalition Food Pantry, 118 Laurell Drive, Eden, NC 27288-8149.
Boone & Cooke, Inc. Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Deatherage.
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