A Life Lived: Clarence Sheffield always had a song on his heart

Published 11:36 am Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Clarence Sheffield, Jr.’s pastor described him as “larger than life.”

Sheffield, who died Feb. 1, at the age of 80, was described by friends as a jokester, someone who loved life to the fullest, always had a song on his heart, and enjoyed making memories with his family. But, most of all he loved the Lord and his church at Valley Forge Free Will Baptist, where he was a member of the Praise Choir.

In years past Sheffield and and his wife, Louise, had been active members of the Biltmore Baptist Church, where he had served as minister of music and youth leader. He and Louise were also RA and GA leaders. Later he served as choir director at Fellowship Community Church.

At Valley Forge Free Will, Sheffield was known for “his” song, “I Want to Stroll Over Heaven With You.”

“When he sang that song, he would take a cordless microphone and down each aisle of the church he would go singing and shaking hands as he went. He couldn’t be contained,” his wife shared.

Friends also described Sheffield as a man with a big heart, who would give you the shirt off his back. “He was known to pick up hitchhikers just to fellowship and befriend them,” his wife shared with a laugh.

Sheffield was a United States Army veteran, where he served with the 82nd Airborne. And, skydiving was a favorite thing to do. He had parachuted as Santa during Christmas celebrations at the former TG&Y store in Elizabethton, and had made parachuting jumps at the Bristol Motor Speedway and Kingsport Speedway. Sadly, his son, Richard, who followed in his father’s footsteps as a parachutist, died in a skydiving accident this past October at the David Crockett Musket Bowl game. Richard’s twin sons also enjoy skydiving, making it a third-generation sport.

“Clarence never got over Richard’s accident…he grieved a lot for him,” said Louise. “Like his father, Richard loved skydiving,” she shared.

In addition to Richard, Clarence had a second son, Timmy; two daughters, Tammy and Rhonda; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“Of all the things Clarence enjoyed, family and church were most important to him,” said his wife. “He loved to sing. When he became unable to go because of his health, he would lament: ‘I miss church. I miss choir.’ He was a good Christian man,” Louise shared.

Clarence was known to the children at church as the “candy man,” as he always had a pocket full of candy which he shared with them.

In real life, Clarence was a long-haul truck driver and he enjoyed football and was a Kansas City Chiefs fan. Although he died before the Super Bowl was played, he probably is having his own Super Bowl party in heaven, complete with a little singing.

Louise said her husband enjoyed family gatherings, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. “He enjoyed the turkey and dressing, broccoli casserole and sweet potato casserole, but his favorite meal was soup beans, fried potatoes, and cornbread,” she shared.

Clarence Sheffield lived an incredible life. There were no dull moments with him.

“Clarence first and foremost was a servant of Jesus Christ. He loved Jesus, his family, his church, and his many friends. We won’t soon forget that smile that was always on his face,” said Pastor Randy Johnson.

“He left us some incredible memories. He lived life to the fullest,” said the pastor.

Today, Clarence Sheffield is not singing the song, but he, indeed, is strolling over heaven.