RAYMOND CLAYBORN

Raymond Clayborn was born on May 31, 1953, in the Singing Hill Community, outside of Arkadelphia, Arkansas to the parents of Carrie Wright Clayborn Neal and the late Wilfred Clayborn He was reared by his maternal grandparents Luther and Cleo Cunningham Wright; paternal grandparents were Jackson and Lena Duncan Clayborn.  He transitioned from earth to eternity on February 6, 2022 at the Baylor Scott & White hospital in Waxahachie, Texas surrounded by family.

He united with Clayborn Chapel AME church where he professed his love for Christ at an early age.  Raymond attended Henry Bell Elementary and graduated from Henry Bell High School in Gurdon, Arkansas in 1971.  He served as a member of the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Era assigned to Naval Base Guam and Carswell Air Force Base, Fort Worth, Texas from 1971-1975 receiving an honorable discharge.

He settled in Fort Worth after his military service and worked many jobs over the years. He worked as a substitute teacher and bus driver for the Dallas County School District and a warehouse manager for General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics where he retired after seventeen years of dedicated service.

His educational background includes a Bachelor and Master of Theology Degree from New World Bible Institute, a Bachelor of Biblical Studies from Criswell Community College, he also attended Arlington Baptist College for Biblical Studies and Tarrant County Community for Business Mid-Management.

Raymond was licensed and ordained to preach the gospel at the New Hope Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas under the leadership of Pastor James Warren Smith. While at New Hope, he served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and various other capacities.

Raymond pastored the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Royse City, Texas from 1992 until 2015. Under his leadership he constructed a new edifice, remodeled the Fellowship Hall and built an Educational Center.

Pastor Clayborn was an articulate, expressive and powerful preacher-teacher of the gospel.  Most of all he was a true servant leader dedicated to developing and mentoring his membership on kingdom building principles.

Raymond later united with New Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, under the leadership of pastor Dr. Billy Bell Sr. where he faithfully served as Pastor of Christian Education, a Sunday School (Fuel) teacher and mid-day Bible Study teacher.

He was passionate about gathering with family, friends and associates for an afternoon of barbecuing, a catfish fry or big pot of homemade chili where he was the cook. His day wasn’t complete until he had a serving of his mother’s sweet potato cobbler. Raymond also loves sports. His favorite past time was channel surfing and watching as many colleges and professional football and basketball games as possible.  He was equally proud as a father, of his two sons that are both High School basketball coaches in Arlington and Fort Worth. Raymond enjoyed attending their games and cheering them on to victory.

His father Wilfred Clayborn preceded him in death along with his grandparents Luther and Cleo Cunningham Wright, sister Naomi Neal and stepfather, William Henry Neal (Pee Wee).

He leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife of 22 years, Leola Clayborn, his mother Carrie L. Neal, Sanford, Florida; Seven children: Ralinda Watts (David) Valley Village, CA; Jerod, Fort Worth, Texas; Kelton (Monica) Fort Worth, Texas; Caleb, Dallas, Texas; Reginald Cunningham (Stacye) Mesquite, Texas; Lamonica Newman (Aaron) Mansfield, Texas; Billy Cunningham (Tunisia) Fort Worth, Texas. Siblings: Freddie Clayborn Kansas City, Missouri; Linda Clayborn, Dallas, Texas; Barbara Dickens, Gurdon, AR; Johnny Clayborn, Gurdon, AR; William Neal (Sherry) Pace, Florida; Terrilyn King, Arkadelphia, AR; James Neal (Antionette), Orange Park, FL; Mary Thomas (Chester), Kansas City, MO; Debra Neal-Love, Sanford, FL; Aunt Mozella Carter, Kansas City, MO; Uncle Luther Wright Jr.  (Victoria) Kansas City, MO.

In-Laws, Willie Fleming (Eva), Robert Fleming, Edna Garrett, Linda Tuesno Nealy, Mary Walker, Eddie Fleming, Barbara Nell Williams, Betty Jones; special niece Erica Garrett;  fifteen grandchildren; one great grandson and one great niece and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and other family members, and special mention to James Douglas Booker who was his cousin/brother.