Charles Dudley Clayborne Jr.

Charles Dudley Clayborne Jr., better known as “Sonnie” was born August 14, 1950 to Charles D. Clayborne Sr. and Nannie Caise Clayborne. He departed this life on October 24, 2024. He was educated in the Fayette County public schools and while attending Bryan Station Sr. High School was a drummer in the band. His best memory of those years was during his senior year he was able to play the tympani drums in the senior concert. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy and served aboard the USS Puget Sound stationed in Newport, Rhode Island. After serving his country for 4 years, Sonnie went to further his education, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Eastern Kentucky University. Sonnie had a love for serving his community. He was an original member of the National Association of Black Veterans (NABVETS) for Lexington Ky, and a member of the NAACP. Locally, he worked the “Widow’s Might” garden for the Missionaries of Shiloh Baptist Church with his granddaughters Mikayla and Aliya. Also in the community, Sonnie helped clean and maintain African Cemetery Number 2 for several years. He became a member of the board and helped organize several events that told the history of the cemetery. Sonnie also worked with Special Olympics, bowling with his granddaughter Aliya, winning several awards. So dedicated to spending time with this program, during a State tournament, he took the support boot off of his broken foot to bowl allowing him and Aliya to win first place in their division. Sonnie had a dedication to working with the church. He served as head usher for several years. He went on to become co-chair with of the bus ministry with his beautiful wife Beverly and Tony Byrd. He was voted onto the Trustee Board where he served on the Budget Committee, later becoming co-chair of the same committee along with Rubye Fischer. He served in this capacity until his health no longer allowed. Sonnie leaves to remember him, his wife of 52 years, Beverly Smith Clayborne; one daughter Richelle (Vincent) Clay of Lexington; two sons, Charles (Megumi) Clayborne of Yokohama and Michael (Tiffany) Clayborne of Lexington; eight grandchildren; two brothers Terry (Jane) Clayborne of Petersburg, Va, and Lowell (Peggy) Clayborne of Lexington; four aunts Patricia (Frank) Canon, Helen Beatty, Barbara Caise and Virginia Smith and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Charles Dudley Clayborne Jr.

August 14, 1950 - October 24, 2024

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Charles Dudley Clayborne Jr.

August 14, 1950 - October 24, 2024

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support