Bemjamin Carl Clodfelter

With gratitude for his service to First United Methodist Church, Wadesboro, and our community, we are sharing the obituary for the Rev. Benjamin Carl Clodfelter. We offer our sincerest sympathy to his wife, Patti, and their family. Please refer to the website for Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington, NC for service details and online condolences.

Benjamin Carl Clodfelter (Benny) entered the gates of heaven on July 28 and heard the words, “well done good and faithful servant”.

Benny was born in Thomasville, NC on February 7, 1948 to Ruth Nance Clodfelter and Austin Lado Clodfelter. He grew up in Thomasville enjoying playing Little League baseball and Thomasville High School Football. He was always proud of being a Bulldog and playing on championship teams. His call to ministry came on the football field and he loved sharing that story of God’s call. He was very active in his home church, Memorial United Methodist. The pastors of the church had a great influence on his life.

After high school, Benny attended Pfeiffer University and developed a love of soccer. He played goalie and was a fierce competitor. He graduated in 1970 and then attended Duke Divinity School where he became a lifelong Duke fan. He graduated from Duke in 1974 and began his career as a United Methodist minister. He started out at a five church appointment In West Jefferson. His other appointments over the years include Linwood/Cotton Grove UMC (Lexington), Mineral Springs UMC, Riverbend/Snow Hill UMC, Shiloh UMC (Lexington), Andrews UMC, Central UMC (Denton), First UMC (Wadesboro), Bethany UMC (Lexington) and served as a volunteer chaplain at Lexington Hospital. Benny always loved serving smaller congregations where he could get to know his members personally. His characteristics as a pastor included a deep love of his congregation, his caring for those in need – financially, emotionally and physically and his dedication to being with every person as they had surgery, experienced a death in their family or had any type of loss. He loved preaching and was very good at weaving stories into his sermons.

One of Benny’s greatest joys in life was spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He coached his boys in soccer, basketball and baseball. He loved family gatherings at birthdays, holidays, cookouts and annual Nance Reunions where he enjoyed the food and fellowship. Surviving to share his memory are his wife, Patti Payne Clodfelter; children Brian Clodfelter, Bradley (Robin) Clodfelter, Brandon Clodfelter and Barrett (Haley) Clodfelter. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and two sisters, Libby Clodfelter and Mary (Chip) Asbury.

Benny will be remembered by his nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends, fellow pastors and those in the many congregations that he served with love and kindness.

Benny was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Nance Clodfelter; brother, Austin Clodfelter, Jr. and daughter, Sherri Gallimore.

Those who knew Benny best will remember him for some of the words he shared and the values he lived by – “Be Kind”, “Make it a Great Day” and “Always be Thankful”. Two of his favorite Bible Verses were Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and John 3:16 – “For God so loved he world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”.

Visitation will be at Davidson Funeral Home (301 N. Main Street, Lexington, NC) on Friday, August 7 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM and at other times at the home. A Celebration of Benny’s life will be held on Saturday, August 8 at 11:00AM at Shiloh Church (943 N NC Hwy 150, Lexington, NC) with Rev. Sandy Young, Rev. Huey Turner, Rev. Dr. Michael Martin and son Bradley Clodfelter officiating.

The family invites attendees to come casual and wear Duke colors in memory of Benny.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Benny, please feel free to donate to one of the following in his name:Church of your choice, Liberty Hospice (1007 Lexington Avenue, Thomasville, NC. 27360) or Alzheimer’s Research.