Clarence Colon Willoughby, Sr.: Tabor City

1922 – 2020

     Clarence Colon Willoughby, Sr. of Tabor City died Monday, March 2, in Summit Place of North Myrtle Beach, Little River. He was 97.

     Born Dec. 13, 1922 in Columbus County, he was the son of the late Stephen Furney Willoughby and Carrie Belle Grainger Willoughby and the widower of Mildred Elizabeth Smith Willoughby.

     He was a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

     He is survived by one son, Colon Willoughby and wife Tricia of Raleigh; two daughters, Beth Willoughby Reilly and husband Dan of Lake Wylie, and Mary Willoughby and husband Chris Gruchawka of Sunset Beach; one sister, Anna Synder of Leland; eight grandchildren, Elizabeth W. Harrell and husband Cliff of Raleigh, Mary Graham Willoughby and husband Joe Morahan of Raleigh, Anne Grove Crutchfield and husband Rich of Greensboro, Sarah Grove Myers and husband Matt of Columbia, South Carolina, William Grove and wife Katie of Greenville, South Carolina, Kate Gruchawka Taylor and husband Miles of Washington, D.C., Caroline Gruchawka of Jersey City, New Jersey, and Sam Gruchawka of Chapel Hill; and ten great grandchildren, Wes, Lucy, Birdie, Millie, Iney, Mary Mac, Mac, Libby, William and Maggie.

     In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Benny Bruce Willoughby and Lonnie Eston Willoughby; three sisters, Essie Willoughby Brinkely, Alene Willoughby Peterson and Bernice Willoughby Ray.

     Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m.  Friday, March 6, in  Tabor City Baptist Church.

     Visitation was planned preceding the service, from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., in the Tabor City Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

     A private burial service was planned.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tabor City Baptist Church, P.O. Box 126, Tabor City, NC 28463.

     A guest register is available here.