Mr. Clarence Samuel Withrow, 78, formerly of 2132 Kingston Rd., Kingstown, NC peacefully departed this life for his heavenly home on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at Bethany Woods Assisted Living in Albemarle, NC.  He was born on October 4, 1934 in Rutherford County, NC to the late Sherman and Amanda Houser Withrow.

Clarence retired after 15 years of service with Hoechst Celanese Corp and 15 years from Duke Power.  He was a faithful member of Durham United Methodist Church of Shelby, NC and served as worshipful master of George H. White Masonic Lodge No. 71.

Clarence served consecutive terms as mayor for the town of Kingstown.  He was dedicated to numerous organizations including the Cleveland County Cooperative Extension for more than forty years, Cleveland County Youth 4-H Club, Cleveland County Choral Society, NC State Advisory Board for North Carolina State University and North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Youth Mentor, Foothills Herb Society Club, Red Cross Blood Drive and the Kingstown Senior Citizens Club.  Clarence also volunteered any remaining time to tutoring students throughout Cleveland County and teaching throughout the community to young and old.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bettye Jamerson Withrow; his brothers, Henry Withrow (Rossie), Van Withrow (Henrietta), Zan Withrow and Glenn Withrow (Vernell) and his sisters, Frances Withrow and Minnie Bell (Rufus).

Left to cherish his memory are one son, Raven Guest (Cynthia) of Grover, NC; two daughters, Sharon Withrow and Karen Gail Withrow both of Charlotte, NC; two brothers, Carl Lee Withrow (Bernice) of Shelby and Joseph Hunt of Charlotte; two sisters, Camilla Sinkler of Gastonia, NC and Helen Love (Carl) of Shelby; three grandchildren, Brian Withrow of Charlotte, Tenisha Clark (Victor) of Lexington, NC and Tina Guest of Kings Mountain, NC; two great-grandchildren, Victor Clark, Jr. and Xavier Clark; brothers-in-law, Jerry Jamerson (Beatrice) of Raleigh, NC, Thomas Jamerson (Doreatha) of NY, Charles Jamerson (Laura) of Shelby and Larry Jamerson (Mary) of Greensboro, NC; sisters-in-law, Joan Davis of Shelby, Rebecca Cabiness (Ray) of Charlotte, Emily Withrow of Shelby and Anita Withrow of Raleigh and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Durham United Methodist Church with Rev. Aldana Allen officiating.  Burial will take place at Eskridge Grove Baptist Church cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 PM at the church on Tuesday and at other times starting Monday evening at 2132 Kingston Rd., in Kingstown.

Condolences can be expressed online at www.enloes.net.  Enloe Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.