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Clarence Pinckney of Bridgehampton died at Good Shepherd Hospice in Port Jefferson on February 20. He was 68.
Mr. Pinckney was born on June 25, 1946, to Clara Mae Wade Pinckney and the late Elick Pinckney in Walterboro, South Carolina, and attended Colleton County High School in South Carolina, graduating a salutatorian in 1964.
After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving for three years and earning the rank of sergeant E-5, and he was very proud of his military experience.
He moved to Newark, New Jersey, to live with his sister, Ruth Jenkison. He worked for the Postal Service for a year and then decided to move to Long Island to be closer to his father. He was known as a diligent, hard-working man who was passionate about taking care of his family. He often held more than one job, which enabled him to be a great provider for his family. He helped his father, who was a potato contractor at AC Carpenter in Water Mill, he was a caretaker for W.C. Klenk at his Georgica estate, and he worked at Pinckney’s Inn, the family-owned business.
Mr. Pinckney was especially proud to retire from the Southampton Elementary School after 25 years of service. During his tenure there, he developed many long-lasting friendships, and he considered everyone at the school to be a part of his family.
Mr. Pinckney, affectionately known as “Fred,” “Carter” and “Big C,” will be most remembered for his vibrant personality, good sense of humor, outspokenness and love for his family and friends, according to survivors. His favorite pastimes were washing cars, family gatherings and singing with the male chorus at church. One of his favorite songs to sing was “This Little Light of Mine.”
He was a member of the Sons of Gideon Lodge #47 for many years and of the Men’s Ministry of the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton.
One of his proudest moments in his life was when he became a grandfather. He loved spending time with all of his grandchildren but could never seem to go anywhere without Makayla. His grandchildren referred to him as their #1 Poppie. He was excited to support the older grandchildren in their athletic pursuits and especially enjoyed watching Nia “cross up” girls on the basketball court.
Mr. Pinckney was predeceased by his wife, Loretta; and his father, Elick Pinckney. He is survived by his mother, Clara Mae Pinckney of South Carolina; four children, Tanya S. Dawson and husband Eddie of Riverhead, Anthony Hartwell and wife Renee of Pennsylvania, Latisha Pinckney and Tameka Pinckney of Bridgehampton; seven grandchildren, Tatyana Dawson of Riverhead, Jada Pinckney of Bridgehampton, Nia Dawson of Riverhead, Allicea Hartwell of Georgia, Makayla Pinckney and Christian Pinckney of Bridgehampton, and Eddie Dawson IV of Riverhead; two sisters, Ruth Jenkison of New Jersey and Clara Fryar of South Carolina; one brother, William Pinckney and wife Brenda of Bridgehampton; five sisters-in-law, Betty Hite and Margaret Proctor of Southampton, Sheila Hopson of East Hampton, Marion Hopson of Sag Harbor, and Julie Hopson of Bridgehampton; four brothers-in-law, Arthur Hopson Jr. of Bridgehampton, Richard Hite Sr. and Abdullah Aamir of Southampton, and Wayne Hopson of Sag Harbor; three close friends, Sandra Singleton, Sharyn Sammy and Edward King; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A funeral service took place at the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton; the Rev. Dr. H.G. McGhee Jr. officiated, and Rev. Henry Faison Jr. delivered the eulogy. Burial with military honors followed at Edgewood Cemetery in Bridgehampton under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
on Mar 2, 2015