Memorial Folder - Rev. Dr. Richard Clay White

ORDER OF SERVICE Presiding: Bishop LeRoy Greenaway Faith Christian Church (FCC)

Moderator: Bishop Dr. Glen Prospere Full Life Gospel Center Processional & Invocation Hymn

Bishop LeRoy Greenaway Father-In-Love “When The Battle’s Over”

Obituary

Congregation Rev. Dr. Reuel Francis (FCC)

Scriptures

Rev. Anne Patterson (FCC) Old Testament Proverbs 4:7 (KVJ) 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Psalm 49:1-3 (NIV) 1 Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor alike: 3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.

Psalm 49:12-20 (NIV) People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish.

13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. 14 They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. 15 But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. 16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; 17 for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.

18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper— 19 they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life. 20 People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.

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New Testament 1 John 5:20 (NIV) 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

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Prayer of Comfort

Hymn Reflections

Rev. Dr. Gregory Groover Charles Street AME “Glory to His Name”

Congregation

Two Minutes Each Please Rev. Cuthbert Joseph, Brother-in-love Mrs. Susan Miskell, Manager-Pine Street Apostle Glen Prince, R Ministries, IL Bishop Jonathan Ramsey, Rehoboth Church of God, CT

Readings/Acknowledgements Dr. Lavonne Ortega, Sister-in-love Keith Greenaway, Esq, Brother-in-love Vida Robb, Sister-in-love Worship Medley

Congregational

Tributes Jennifer White-Smith, Daughter Dr. Jhanev Allen-Butler, Stepdaughter Jollene Collins & Jonelle Allen, Stepdaughters Rev. Brenda White, Wife Solo Eulogy Special Selection Recessional

Sis. Marsha Tucker Rev. Elvina Greenaway Mother-in-love FCC Mass Choir & Friends Elder Hu White, Director

We ask that you please follow the instruments/directions of the funeral home and church attendants

O R D E R O F S E R V I C E

HYMNS When The Battle Is Over Am I a soldier of the cross, A follower of the Lamb, And shall I fear to own His cause, Or blush to speak His name?

Refrain And when the battle’s over We shall wear a crown!

Yes, we shall wear a crown!

Yes, we shall wear a crown!

And when the battle’s over We shall wear a crown In the new Jerusalem Wear a crown (wear a crown) Wear a crown (wear a crown) Wear a bright and shining crown; And when the battle’s over We shall wear a crown In the new Jerusalem.

Must I be carried to the skies On flowery beds of ease, While others fought to win the prize, And sailed through bloody seas?

Refrain Are there no foes for me to face?

Must I not stem the flood?

Is this vile world a friend to grace, To help me on to God? Refrain

HYMNS Down At The Cross Down at the cross where my Savior died, Down where for cleansing from sin I cried, There to my heart was the blood applied; Glory to his name!

Refrain: Glory to his name, Glory to his name; There to my heart was the blood applied; Glory to his name!

2 I am so wondrously saved from sin, Jesus so sweetly abides within; There at the cross where he took me in; Glory to his name!

Refrain 3 Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin, I am so glad I have entered in; There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean; Glory to his name!

Refrain 4 Come to this fountain so rich and sweet, Cast thy poor soul at the Savior’s feet; Plunge in today, and be made complete; Glory to his name!

Refrain

C O N G R E G A T I O N A L H Y M N S

OBITUARY

Pastor Richard Clay White December 5, 1960 was a special day for Willie and ClaraMae White, though they were unaware at the time. Richard White, was born into the World in North Carolina, USA. They would adopt him into their family 5 years later. He grew up in a humble, yet happy home with mom and dad - ClaraMae and Willie White, and his adopted brother Robbie, all of whom predeceased him. After bringing happiness to many a person for 62 years, he passed away on January 8, 2023.

Richard attended Grade School in his hometown of La Grange, North Carolina. In High School he played the trumpet in the school band. This talented youngster played so well that he was awarded accolades because of his skill and performance. On finishing High School, he joined the United States Navy, and worked in the communications department and in other areas during his military service. Gratitude goes to him for serving his country unselfishly and honorably.

When God called Richard Clay for salvation, he struggled but worked it out with much fear and trembling. He submitted himself to the mentorship of many pastors, programs and Bible study to become steadfast and mature as a Christian. Later he was moved by the Holy Spirit into pastoral ministry. He became ordained and served as a pastor and overseer of three Church of God churches in Vass, Broadway and Lobiela, North Carolina. His Church activities, community outreaches, teaching and other services to the North Carolina community stood out so much, that the Bible Institutes of America Inc., awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Theology degree in 2017. Pastor Clay, as he was affectionately called by everyone, was a great Bible teacher with a knack to keep his audience’s attention. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he exposed spiritual nuggets of knowledge in a way that his listeners could easily understand. He founded “Understanding Jesus Ministry”, a tent ministry serving the downtrodden, addicted, and abandoned in NC. He also worked at Agape Corner, a boarding school for troubled, underserved children.

In Massachusetts he continued to facilitate people in helping them to receive deliverance from drug addiction by volunteering for many years as a teacher/coach at Teen Challenge in Boston. He worked at Pine Street Inn, advocating for veterans, and later as a stabilization specialist helping clients to train for the workforce, and to get and retain gainful employment. He loved this ministry opportunity, which was a good fit for his unique people skills. His colleagues loved and respected him. The members of Faith Christian Church in Boston also benefited substantially in Bible studies from the Reverend Dr. Richard Clay White’s God-given intellectual talent. So also did the Teen Challenge organization in Boston.

In addition to pastoral duties, Pastor Clay worked for many years as a bus and truck driver.

His CDL license allowed him to drive school buses and big rigs.

In 2013 the paths of Pastor Clay and Pastor Brenda Allen crossed, and as God would have it, they both got stuck. Marriage ensued and Pastor Clay became a Massachusetts pastor, and part of the Faith Christian Church (FCC) community where his wife was one of the pastors. He eased quite well into the Bostonian culture but could not dispense with different aspects of the southern culture in which he had grown up. His southern drawl, demonstrative fiery preaching, and expressive singing and dancing of his southern culture, could not be hidden under the more conservative northern culture that surrounded him. He loved to sing, and his anointed singing always stirred the hearts of those who heard him as his powerful melodious voice belted out some of his well-loved songs like “Glory to His Name” and “If You Walk Right, Heaven Belongs to You”. He did everything with gusto. He helped to establish a better audio-visual system for FCC, and trained people to sustain it. He served as FCC’s Director of Affiliate Ministries, helping to build stronger relationships with pastors and churches worldwide.

Pastor Clay had a breezy personality. With him there was never a dull moment. His company was comforting and uplifting. You were sure to enjoy moments of chuckling and laughter whenever he was around. He would even make jokes about himself. But he was a genuine person who would do everything he could to make others happy and comfortable. Being grafted into a West Indian community because of his marriage and church affiliation, Pastor Clay accepted changes cautiously but heartily and would enjoy West Indian cooking, but he could cook also. Banana pudding was his specialty and he made a very tasty dish that people worldwide regularly commented that it was awardworthy.

Richard Clay White adored his wife, Brenda, and supported her wholeheartedly in ministry. He loved and respected her parents, Bishop Leroy and Rev. Elvina Greenaway. He always praised his wife at every opportunity and from every angle, whether she was present or not. He recognized Proverbs 18:22 that says: “The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord” (NLT). He treated her like the treasure she is. Indeed he obtained favor from the Lord. She supported and stuck with him through his illness, and to the very end. Although he faced many challenges in his life, God’s infinite love followed him, and he testifies that, “There is nothing you can’t overcome when you are filled with the Holy Ghost”.

In 2019 Pastor Clay was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, which he fought for three years, but his body succumbed to the ravages of the disease on Sunday January 8, 2023.

Reverend Dr. Richard Clay White leaves to mourn his devoted wife, Brenda - Senior Pastor of Faith Christian Church, daughter Jennifer White-Smith, and her husband – Vernon Smith Jr. , granddaughter – Alyssa White, step-daughters – Dr. Jhanev AllenButler and husband, granddaughter -– Romario Butler and Hanari Butler, Jollene AllenCollins and husband – Emilio Collins Jr, Jonelle Allen, spiritual father and mother Bishop Theodore and Pastor Beverly Bryant of NC, MA ‘adopted parents’ – Bishop Leroy and Rev. Elvina Greenaway, all of his “in-loves” (the term he used for in-laws), the FCC family, and a host of relatives, friends and colleagues.

May His Soul Rest In Peace.

O B I T U A R Y

OUR FAMILY

We Will Miss You Forever

L O V I N G M E M O R I E S

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We are most grateful for the gift of friends like you, who have been so kind and thoughtful during these hours of sorrow. Your prayers, visits, calls, flowers, meals and every act of kindness, have given us strength and inspiration. for the facing of this hour.

May God ever Bless each of You.

Special Mentions: FCC Church Family Dr. David Reardon & Dana Farber Medical Team Dr. Tanguturi, Dr Smith and Brigham & Women's Medical Team BMA TenPoint Pine Street Inn Our Neighbors in Sharon Floyd Williams Funeral Home The Veterans Administration

Special Mentions: FCC Church Family Dr. David Reardon & Dana Farber Medical Team Dr. Tanguturi, Dr. Smith and Brigham & Women’s Medical