Rev. Clarence "Popas" Grier, Jr.

Funeral Services will be held 12:00PM Tuesday, Sept 17, 2013 at Union Missionary Baptist Church 2470 Bruce Street Lithonia, GA, 30058, where Reverend C. Andre' Grier is pastor. Interment at Lincoln Cemetery, Atlanta, GA. Viewing and visitation will be held Monday September 16, 2013 at Gregory B. Levett and Sons South DeKalb Chapel from 12PM to 8PM with family hour 6:30 PM to 8PM. Services entrusted to Gregory B. Levett and Sons Funeral Home. 4347 Flat Shoals Pkwy. Decatur, Ga 30034. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Oscielia Grier care fund C/O Gregory B Levett and Sons Funeral Home. 4347 Flat Shoals Pkwy. Decatur, Ga 30034. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rev. Clarence Grier, Jr., a native of Atlanta, Georgia was born May 3, 1932 to Clarence and Ida Grier. He made his transition to glory on Thursday, September 12, 2013. He was the fourth of six children and was preceded in death by his parents, one brother (James Grier) and one sister (Catherine “Punkin” Robertson). He is survived by two sisters: Viola Thomas of Lithonia, Georgia, Helen Jones of Decatur, Georgia and one brother: Robert (Mary) Grier of Los Angeles, California. Rev. Grier was educated in the Atlanta Public School System where he attended Booker T. Washington High School. He then joined the United States Navy where he served and received an Honorable Discharge. In 1951, he married the love of his life, Oscielia Robertson of Atlanta, Georgia. To this union of 61 years, four children were born: Rev. Clarence Andre’ Grier (Thelma), Angela Renee’ McMillion, Kimberly Raye Young (Ridgeley), and Stephanie Lynne Simon (Kenny). He adored his nine grandchildren: Andre’Jr., Delray, Aaron, Christopher, Rashaun, Kourtney, Kyra, Kameron and Kamille. They all loved and had the highest respect for their grandfather. He will always be affectionately known as their “Popas”. Pastor Grier was deeply committed to providing a great life for his wife and children. He worked for the Lockheed Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia and was later employed by the United States Postal Service where he retired after 30 years of dedicated service. He was affectionately known as the “Ole Preacher” in his supervisory role there. He was well respected as a manager who tolerated no nonsense, however everyone loved working for him. Rev. Grier was licensed and ordained as a minister and man of God at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia by the late Rev. C.S. Surry. Shortly after that, he was called to Pastor the First African Baptist Church of Monroe, Georgia where he served faithfully for 44 years. Under Pastor Grier’s leadership, he was blessed to license and ordain more than 10 sons into the ministry, who have now gone on to Pastor various churches throughout the State of Georgia. One of his proudest moments in ministry was when he licensed, ordained and installed his own son at both St. Mary’s Baptist Church of Athens, Georgia and Union Missionary Baptist Church of Lithonia, Georgia. In September 2004, Pastor Grier was honored to have preached the very first sermon in the new edifice of Union Missionary Baptist Church. He preached the unforgettable and epic sermon entitled “What’s New About You?” Pastor Grier also served as First Vice Moderator of the Northwestern Baptist Association #1 for over 20 years. Anyone who knew Pastor Grier knew that among the things he most loved to do were: preach the gospel, praise and worship, be surrounded by his family, catch a fish at the fishing hole with his best buddy, Rev. Edward Husband, and ride motorcycles, which he did well into his seventies. The life and legacy of the late Rev. Clarence Grier, Jr. will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. He will truly be missed!

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Rev. Clarence "Popas" Grier, Jr.

May 3, 1932 - September 12, 2013