Thomas Clelon Wrenn, Sr. passed away at his home on Thursday, November 26, entering an eternity with Jesus. Clelon was surrounded by Joan, his wife of nearly 65 years, and his children. Born on September 26, 1932 to Melvin Howard Wrenn and Faye Moore Wrenn, Clelon exemplified a life of serving others first. His energy and ingenuity enabled him to significantly impact family, church, community, and beyond. He resided in the Pleasant Grove community, and was a member of Long’s Chapel Christian Church and Integrity Church. He is a former member of Bethlehem Christian Church.
Clelon’s professional career began with Western Electric, where he was a Project Management and Engineering Associate for 39 years. Along with his wife, he founded A Touch of Elegance Shoppe in Graham, NC. They operated the store for nearly 20 years with Clelon serving as the head of the Tuxedo Department. Clelon had many interests, being known as one who was willing to learn whatever he needed in order to build and repair things. He also found time, energy and success, in part-time roles as a farmer, plumber, builder, landscaper and even as an amateur electrician assistant. He was a founding member of the Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department.
Clelon is survived by his wife - Joan Lewis Wrenn of the home. He is preceded in death by his parents, a son - Ira Andrew (Andy) Wrenn, and two brothers - Vance Wrenn and Therwell Wrenn. He is also survived by two sons - Thomas Clelon (Bud) Wrenn, Jr. and wife Tammy, and Christopher Lewis (Lew) Wrenn and wife Tarina, daughter Maryjo Wrenn Pollard and husband David, all of Burlington. In addition, he is survived by sisters Maxine Sharpe of Elon and Sherrion Danieley of Burlington, and brothers Carl Wrenn and Curtis Wrenn of Elon. Clelon is grandfather to ten: Jacob Wrenn (wife Courtney), Justin Pollard (wife Caitlyn), Jessica W. Pollard, Hannah W. Breedlove (husband Hayden), Trisha W. Boone (husband Bryan), Christopher Wrenn (wife Natalie), Tabitha Wrenn, Matthew Wrenn, Caleb Wrenn and Katy Wrenn, and great-grandfather to six Matthew, Andrew and Brendon Swaney, Aria Breedlove, Parker Breedlove, and Luthian Pollard.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, November 30 from 6 – 7 pm at Rich & Thompson Funeral Service in Graham. A Celebration of Clelon’s life will be held on Wednesday, December 1 at Long’s Chapel Christian Church at 3:00pm, with Dr. Bud Wrenn, Clelon’s son and pastor of Integrity Church, officiating, along with Dr. Dace A. Lewis, Jr., pastor of Front Street Disciples of Christ Church. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Committal in the Long’s Chapel Cemetery will follow the service.
His family will surely miss this patriarch, but rejoice in the fact that Clelon has found his new residence in heaven – a result of his having accepted Jesus as His Savior, through His work on the cross.
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