Clarence Straham

STRAHAM, Dr. Clarence C., Sr. - Age 72, went home to be the Lord, Thursday, August 27, 2009. Celebration of Life Service 6-7:30PM Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at Vernon Chapel A.M.E Church, 5802 Dupont St., where the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Omega Service will be held at 6PM, under the auspices of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Family hour 10AM Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at Vernon Chapel AME Church, with homegoing service commencing at 11AM, Pastor Ernest J. Garrison officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10AM Wednesday. Dr. Straham will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 9AM-3PM Tuesday. Dr. Clarence C. Straham, Sr. was born August 8, 1937, to the parents Earnest and Virgil (Toles) Straham in Moffet, Oklahoma. He received his early education in Fort Smith Arkansas and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (AM&N) with a B.S. in Mathematics/Science. Dr. Straham received his M.A. in Mathematics from Eastern Michigan University and Ph.D. from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Dr. Straham served in the United States Air Force, where he was an Academic and Drill Instructor/Leadership Counselor and he received an Honorable Discharge in 1962. Dr. Straham began teaching mathematic at Merrill Junior/Senior High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Dr. Straham married Bessie (Lambert) Straham in 1968 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. After relocating to Flint, Michigan, he united with the Vernon Chapel A.M.E Church, under the leadership of Rev. Rueben Russell. Dr. Straham was an active member for 41 years, serving as a Steward, Lay Reader, Adult Class #3 and member of the Church School Board. After many years of dedicated service he was bestowed Steward Emeritus. Dr. Straham held life memberships in the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Alumni Association (AM&N), the NAACP, member of the Urban League, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and in other religious and civic organizations. Dr. Straham taught mathematics at Bryant Community Junior High School, Flint Northwestern High School, C.S. Mott Community College and was a Lecturer for the Apprentice and Technology Division at C.S. Mott Community College in Flint, MI. Dr. Straham was also a Mathematics Instructor for Teacher Education at the University of Michigan-Flint and a mathematics teacher at Flint Southwestern Academy, retiring in 2001, after 35 years of service. Dr. Straham had been cited and received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the community, civic and religious organizations. His book of prayers was recently published after years of compiling them. Dr. Clarence C. Straham, Sr. leaves in God’s Care: beloved wife of 41 years, Bessie; son, Clarence C. (Carlotta) Straham, Jr.; daughter, Cynthia (Harold) Straham-Evans; 5 grandchildren; 3 brothers; 3 sisters; 1 aunt; 4 godchildren. Dr. Straham was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; 2 brothers; 4 uncles; and mother of his children, Mrs. Fern E. Straham. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Vernon Chapel A.M.E. Church School, 5802 Dupont St., where an educational scholarship will be established in honor of Dr. Clarence C. Straham, Sr.

Clarence Straham

August 8, 1937 - August 27, 2009