Jackie Wright of Wright Enterprises, joins with the San Francisco Community in the mourning of the passing of Vera Lee Clanton.  A stalwart community leader who served the community well into her nineties.  She was an active fellow member of the San Francisco Chapter of The National Coalition of 100 Black Women. Ms. Clanton established The Berry and Vera Lee Clanton Endowment Scholarship" at San Francisco State University. During the 2011 San Francisco Black Film Festival, Gerry Lange, an honoree, saluted Ms. Clanton for providing her with all of her "on air" fashions while she hosted a community affairs show on KBHK, now CW Bay Area TV.  Ms. Lange, the mother of Actor/Producer/ Director Ted Lange of  "The Love Boat" fame, was the first Black public affairs director at KBHK.   Ms. Clanton's delightful smile and friendly personality will be greatly missed.  Ms. Clanton was dedicated to make the most of life circumstances and she always worked to improve life.  "If we don’t do it, it may not get done.”—Vera Lee Clanton

Vera Clanton Funeral Services
June 11, 2013
Third Baptist Church 
1399 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA
Quiet hour: 6:00 pm 6/10/2013
Funeral - "Going Home Service" 10:00am 6/11/2013

From the Bryant Mortuary Website:

http://www.bryantmortuary.com/obituaries/Vera-Clanton/#!/Obituary

Obituary for Vera Lee Clanton

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to your own understanding. 
In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Vera Lee Rice Clanton was born in the country town of Hallestville, Texas, Lavaca County on December 26, 1916 to the union of Robert and Allonia Rice who preceded her in death. She was the fourth of nine children born to this union. Preceding her in death were her parents and her siblings: D.B., Carrie Lillie, Shelley, Lentral, Robert Jr., Myrtle Lee, William Benedict, and Charles. Vera confessed Christ at the age of twelve and joined the Sweet Home Baptist Church in Hallestville, Texas where she was baptized by her first cousin, Reverend Jesse Thomas, who was her pastor. 

Her childhood education was at Hickory Grove Colored School, Yellow Bank, Texas and she graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School in Houston, Texas in 1936.

In 1941, she met and married Johnnie Bryant Robinson of Bay City, Texas. They moved to San Francisco, California and Johnnie worked in the California Shipyards. 

Later, Vera met the love of her life, Mr. Berry Clanton, Jr., affectionately called "Mr. B.” They were joined in Holy Matrimony on December 23, 1957. They shared a successful and blessed marriage for 15 wonderful years until the Master suddenly called Berry home on August 5, 1972.

Vera, was a power house woman of God who loved life and lived her life to the fullest. More than anything she stood tall for the Lord and what she believed in with all her heart. People of all ages sought her wise counsel, but more importantly, Vera taught by example.

In October 1943, Vera united with Third Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. Frederick D. Haynes, Sr. She demonstrated her faithfulness by providing sterling leadership under three pastors: Rev. Frederick D. Haynes, Sr., Rev. Frederick D. Haynes, Jr. and the present Pastor, Dr. Amos C. Brown. At Third Baptist for 69 years, her dedication to the fiscal matters of the Church called her to the Trustees Ministry where she served until she earned the distinction of Trustee Emeritus. She believed with all of her heart in the Women’s Ministry where she served for five years as the General President. She served in many facets of Women’s Ministry - not just on the local level but on the national, state, and district levels. 

In the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., Vera served as the Vice President of the Women’s Auxiliary and as the Co-Chair of the Women in White March under the leadership of the late Dr. Mary O. Ross; President of the District Presidents Council for the California State Baptist Convention Women’s Auxiliary; and served as the President of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Home and Foreign Mission District Association for five years.

She served with many very distinguished women in Ministry who were also close friends: Sister Gloria Cox, Home and Foreign Mission District Association, Houston, Texas; Sister Charles Etta Johnson, California State Baptist Convention, Los Angeles, California; Sister Pearlie L. Morgan, Home & Foreign Mission District Association, California State Baptist Convention, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and Church Women United, San Francisco, California; Sister Paulyne Campbell, Editor, Mission Book, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., Omaha, Nebraska; and Sister Betty Speed, Vice President-at-Large, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., Dayton, Ohio.

A self-made enterprising woman, in her younger years, Vera had her own business, as a master tailor and designer, called "The House of Andre.” In her studio, she was passionate to teach young women how to model and how to dress for success. She taught them to carry themselves with style. As an entrepreneur, she forged her mark in direct multi-level marketing sales businesses. It was said that Vera could sell the stripes off of a zebra.

Her third love besides family and her Church, was the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. She served as a past President of the San Francisco Section and was a founding member of the Golden Gate Section. Vera held fast to the ideals and philosophy of Mary McLeod Bethune and the late Dr. Dorothy Irene Height.

At the age of 84, the visionary, founded the "Berry and Vera Lee Clanton” Endowed Scholarship Fund at San Francisco State University. Since its founding in 1999, more than 60 scholarships have been awarded to underserved students.

Vera’s passion for life and gifts of unconditional love can long be celebrated by those who cherish very fond and loving memories, including nephews and nieces: Viola (Rev. Aubrey L.) Lewis, Oakland, CA; Blondell Rice, San Francisco; Darrell Robinson, appointed son, San Francisco, CA; Carol Carter, Annette Patton, and Lentral Rice, all of Detroit, MI; Carol (Hubbard) Allen, Los Angeles, CA; Sandra (Ricky) Allen, League City, Texas; Lonnie Marie Archie, Alvin, Texas; Erma Jean McGee and Anne Maloney, both of Texas City, TX; Bobby (Brenda) Mullens, Alvin, TX and Ronald (Crystal) Mullens, Clear Lake, Texas; godson, Rev. Dr. Frederick D. (Debra) Haynes, III, Dallas, TX; goddaughters: Angie Cheatham, San Francisco, CA and Rev. Dr. Joyce (Tommy) Whitfield, Richmond, CA; and a host of loving cousins, grand and great nieces, nephews and a loving Third Baptist Church family.

"If we don’t do it, it may not get done.”—Vera Lee Clanton