Clair Retha Rorie Sturdivant

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Clair Retha Rorie Sturdivant, known warmly as Clarice, age 77, entered from the land of the dying into the land of the living on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

A LIFE OF LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP

Born on September 21, 1949, Clarice was the cherished daughter of the late Roosevelt Rorie, Sr., and Nezzie Ratliff Rorie. She grew up in North Carolina, attending McRae School in Morven, and graduating in 1967. Clarice possessed a brilliant mind and a passion for education, earning an Associate Degree in Science from Anson Community College. Her academic journey also led her to study at Rutgers University in New Jersey and Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Clarice dedicated her career to nurturing and helping others. She was the proud owner and operator of C and M Home School and Day Care in Morven, NC, and served her community for many years as a Radio Operator at WADE. Deeply compassionate, she also earned professional certifications as Med Tech and a CNA II, providing vital care to those in need.

A FAITHFUL SERVANT OF GOD

In 1978, Clarice accepted Christ as her Savior and was filled with the Holy Ghost. Educated by God and the Manhattan Bible Institute in New York, she answered a higher calling into the ministry in 1980. Clarice was the devoted pastor of Anointed Prayer and Deliverance in Laurinburg, NC, where she shepherded her congregation with grace until her health declined. In January 2013, she launched the “Start Your Day With Prayer” conference line, a digital sanctuary that brought daily encouragement and spiritual strength to countless believers.

FAMILY REUNITED

From her union to her late first husband, James Otis Sturdivant, she was blessed with four children. Later in life, she found love and partnership again with her late husband, Melvin Teal.

Clarice was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, James and Melvin; her four beloved children, Yvonne Denise, Sharon Vernett, Timothy Wayne, and James Stephen Sturdivant; and one grandson, Kenneth Townsend, Jr. She was also greeted in heaven by her four sisters, Nezzie Lee Wall, Johnsie Lee Smith, Sarah Smith Newskirk, and Myrtle Harrington, and her two brothers, James Franklin Rorie and Roosevelt Rorie, Jr.

THOSE WHO CHERISH HER MEMORY

She leaves to cherish her precious memories her grandchildren, Alicia Brittney Sturdivant (whom she raised as her own), Antonio Sturdivant, Jeremy Sturdivant, Whitney Sturdivant, and Jazmyne Sturdivant and her daughter-in-law, Sharon Sturdivant.

Her memory will be also treasured by her three surviving sisters, Margie James (Winston) of Wadesboro, NC, Bessie Lindsey Johnson of Morven, NC, and Mary Montgomery (Charlie) of Wadesboro, NC; one brother, George Clarence Rorie of Morven, NC; and one uncle, Oscar Bittle of Greensboro, NC. She also leaves behind her goddaughter, Deonya Lindsey-Deberry; her godson, Tavis Rorie, several special sisters-in-law and brothers -in-law, and a host of loving neices, nephews, cousins, great-grandchildren, and dear friends.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Sunday, October 4, 2026 in the Chapel of Leavitt Home.

The family will greet friends following the service.