Clarence Linwood Vinson, III

Clarence Linwood Vinson, III was born July 12, 1949, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Pearlie Mae Brown and the late Clarence Linwood Vinson, Jr. (Bubba). He passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in Pataskala, Ohio, with his wife, Mary, at his side. Clarence, also known as “JuJu,” was raised in Portsmouth, Virginia, in the Brighton Community. He was educated by the Portsmouth Public School System and graduated from THE I. C. Norcom High School in 1967. While in high school, he studied under the College Prep Curriculum. He was a member of Mrs. Eleanor Cook’s Class of Exceptional Students, the Library Club, the Track Team, the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), the Dramatics Club, Intramural Basketball, and the baseball team. He accepted Christ at an early age, became a member, and was baptized at Third Baptist Church during the late Dr. Clayton Howard Jordan's pastorate. He was a member of the Boy Scouts, attended the Lott Carey Baptist Convention yearly, and the Baptist Training Union (BTU) at Third Baptist. He was often found playing pool across the street from the church with his church buddies in between Sunday school and the morning worship service. They would repeatedly sneak back into the morning worship service late due to their excitement about the game and would lose track of time. He fondly reflected on one Sunday when Rev. C.H. Jordan firmly escorted them back into the morning service, marking the end of the group's Sunday-morning billiards adventures. Clarence worked for many years as a district manager at American Signature Inc., the parent company of Value City Furniture, traveling the East Coast to manage its shipping warehouses. Prior to working at ASI and retiring, he served as a senior manager at Federal Express. He also worked out of several FedEx hubs, including Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Before joining FedEx, he worked for United Parcel Service (UPS) in Baltimore, Maryland. As a lifelong sportsman, he fell in love with bowling and joined several leagues throughout the years. Then his attention turned to golfing, and that soon became his new passion. Being a true businessman, he was an avid golfer, “stating that deals were made on the golf course, not in the boardroom.” Clarence met his wife, Mary, and together they blended their families. Clarence was the father of four children and Mary was the mother of three. Together they formed the nine players on the baseball field, with Clarence as the pitcher and Mary as the catcher. Their family shared many memories and stories, and with seven children, there was never a dull moment, only a family united in love. When the grandchildren came along, the fun truly began. From private conversations with Pop Pop to lively group texts, Clarence stayed connected and interested in their lives, often keeping up with them quietly on Facebook. He made a point of taking several of his grandchildren to the golf course at least once, though many seemed more interested in driving the golf cart than in playing golf. Soon, the great-grandchildren arrived, bringing even more joy. Clarence lovingly gave each of his children and grandchildren special nicknames and continued the tradition with his great-grandchildren, carrying on a family custom that will always be remembered. He never met a stranger and was always quick to offer a warm, inviting smile. He loved traveling with his wife and remained adventurous throughout his life, even zip-lining in South America in his seventies. Clarence was preceded in death by his first wife, Carolyn R. Vinson; sons, Phillip Vinson, Sr., and Enoch Williams; his mother-in-law, Rose Weldon; father-in-law, Willie A. Weldon; his grandson, Jason Williams Jr.; several aunts and uncles; and brothers-in-law. Clarence is survived by his wife of thirty-seven years, Mary L. Vinson; his mother, Pearlie Brown Pitt; daughters, Lisa (Carlos) of Texas, Tonette (Victor) of Maryland, Alicia Diane (Thomas) of Virginia, and Felicia Dione (Chris) of Texas; and sons Jason (Tracie) of Louisiana, Jose of Virginia, and Antione (Danielle) of Maryland; nephew (he reared), Daquon of Virginia; sisters-in-law, Jean Daniel of Connecticut, Essie Perry of Virginia; brother-in-law, Larry Weldon of Florida. He has an aunt, an uncle, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, family, and friends.

Clarence Linwood Vinson, III

July 12, 1949 - February 25, 2026