Pastor Charles E. Cloy

Charles, son of Codella and Enoch Cloy, grew up in rural lands, year-round warmth and sunshine, and plenty of places to fish, something he enjoyed doing into adulthood. His parents and relatives around him introduced him to God, one who creates, redeems, and sustains. He grew up in a church filled with people who worshipped God freely, melodies and rhythms heard and felt in people's voices of testimony, preaching, singing, and joy in movement. Charles talked about accepting God’s call to preach as a late teenager, and eventually ordained ministry where he enjoyed preaching, teaching, and being a pastor.

In the tradition of Black liberation theology, Charles preached the gospel of Jesus and freedom from oppression, understanding social activism and civic engagement as a ministry. Charles earned the respect of the community and political leaders across political parties, not because he agreed with their practices but because he spoke fearlessly about mistreatments he experienced and observed. At a county commissioners’ meeting in the early 2000s, Charles was invited to give a prayer that included, “God eternal, more patient than the ages, save us from wasting our time by being too busy. Bury deep the nerves that run flush with the surface. Remove the hair triggers that prompt us to fire before ready. Cancel the orders that command us to set off at once in opposing directions…” It wasn’t the first time nor was it the last time that Charles would attend local or state-wide meetings by formal invitation or selfinvited, especially if the issues related to children’s education.

Charles cherished his time in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in the 1st, 3rd, and 11th Episcopal Districts. Throughout his time in the AME Church, he would serve as a pastor, teacher, workshop facilitator, government affairs liaison, and support staff to bishops and other connectional leaders whenever called upon. As a member of the New England Annual Conference, his final charge was at Saint James AME Church in Danbury, CT.

Charles grew up learning that formal education was important and worked tirelessly to earn his bachelor’s and advanced degrees at Olivet College (Olivet, MI), Indiana University and Purdue University (Indianapolis, IN), Butler University (Indianapolis, IN), Christian Theological Seminary (Indianapolis, IN), University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) and the University of Hawaii, (Ph.D., ABD; Honolulu, HI). His time in higher education included many accomplishments: published articles, first African Caribbean Gerontological Fellow at the University of Michigan, School of Inter-University Consortium for Political Research, Member of the International Hegelian Honor Society, and Alpha and Omega Philosophical Honor Society.

We will remember Charles as someone proud of his Jamaican roots. Someone who started each day in prayer, followed by stretching exercises that unfolded into a headstand, jogging except if it was snowing, and making his own smoothies. Charles loved God and lived life to the fullest. Throughout his life Charles taught his friends and family many things. Charles wanted us to eat well, stay active, dress warmly in the cold, and read Psalm 91. He taught us to be proud of our own uniqueness, even awkwardness or being misunderstood. Charles was a force in the world and his energy will continue on through his loved ones. To us, Charles’ strength was coupled with deep thought, kindness, compassion, longsuffering, and love.

Charles is preceded in death by Codella and Enoch Cloy (parents) and Symone Elle Cloy (granddaughter).

Charles is survived by his wife Cherita Y. J. Cloy, his children Juan Pierre Cloy (Ingrid), Nicholas “Nikki” Uhuru Cloy (Pearl Cloy Robinson, mother of Juan and Nicholas), Saada Cloy, and Charles Edward Cloy II, his grandchildren Christianna, Juan II, Kiara, Ravon, Rashad, Jaycora, John, Isabella, Domonique, Robert, Seven, Eternity, Physics, Nature, Elyown, Si, his six great-grandchildren, loving in-laws, other family, many long time friends, and a host of church members."