Rev. Charles Gilbert Clary

Rev. Charles Gilbert Clary, a proud native of Winter Haven, Florida, and resident of Hurley, Mississippi, decided to celebrate his 90th birthday a little early by peacefully transitioning to heaven on June 1, 2026.

He was a devoted preacher of the gospel for more than 50 years, pastoring Assembly of God churches in Ocracoke and Winston Salem, North Carolina; Wiggins and Natchez, Mississippi; Winter Haven and Fort Pierce, Florida; as well as Luna and Des Allemands, Louisiana.

Rev. Clary had a passion for missionaries, serving as the Louisiana District of the Assemblies of God State Missions Director for many years. He once took a missions trip to the Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong and even into China.

He also worked in other leadership positions on several presbyter boards and was a master at running business meetings by the book as long as the book was the Robert’s Rules of Order. He later was on the staff of Magnolia Springs Assembly of God, leading the senior adults.

He impacted countless lives over the course of his ministry and officiated weddings, funerals, baptisms, baby dedications and much more across the Southeast.

Following his pastoral ministry, Rev. Clary was a chaplain for We Care Hospice in Moss Point, Mississippi, for 12 years, offering compassionate care and prayer to the sick and dying along with comfort for their families.

Away from the church, he enjoyed playing golf and was quick to tell you he shot two 1-under-par 71s in his lifetime, bonafide sub-par rounds with no mulligans. He enjoyed following the high school sports teams at each of the places he lived, often arriving early at games to make sure he got a seat close to the action.

He loved Florida, especially Winter Haven, and he was always quick to tell you about his hometown and that there is no orange like a Florida orange.

Rev. Clary had a story to fit any situation and professional kidder with well-timed quips or off-the-cuff nicknames that generated many smiles.

Growing up, he was known as “Charlie Red” for his auburn-colored hair and his older siblings who would jokingly protest about favoritism and simply referred to him as “The Baby.”

Rev. Clary was born on June 23, 1936, in his beloved Winter Haven home on Fairfax Avenue to Roy Elmer Clary and Mary Pearl Clary. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Roy (Jan) Clary Jr. and sister Betty Jo (Johnny) Powell.

He is survived by Bertha Clary, his devoted wife of 67-plus years, son Gareth (Hope) Clary, grandson Trevor (Kayce) Clary, granddaughter Daphne (Matthew) Bragg and five great-grand princesses – Evie Bragg, Addie Bragg, Rosie Bragg, Laney Clary and Ella Clary; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Magnolia Springs Assembly of God Church, 7300 Campground Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m., then the celebration of life service at 11 a.m., with Revs. Gene Emswiler, Mike McLeod and Rodney Coleman officiating. A graveside service will follow at Magnolia Springs Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Trevor Clary, Matthew Bragg, Ryan Jacobs, Shawn Mizelle, Richard Dufrene, and A.J. Meyer.  Honorary pallbearers will be Rex Waltman and Greg Osborne.

The funeral service will be livestreamed on the Magnolia Springs Assembly of God Facebook page.

The family would like to express its heartfelt appreciation for the compassionate and professional care given by Deaconess Hospice nurse Britney Brooks and CNA Brittany Davis as well as personal caregivers Jennifer Hammond and Barbara Boyd.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations for Gideon Bibles or a special offering designated for missions at your local church.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, 13872 LeMoyne Blvd, West Jackson County, is serving the family.