Obituaries

Clarence “Joe” Pates, was born to the union of Eva McKnight and Frank Pates in Shelby, Mississippi on April 15th, 1919. Joe and his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio when he was a child. Joe was educated in Cleveland Public Schools. As an adult, Joe worked as a laborer for Great Lakes Construction Company for over 30 years. Joe moved with his nieces to Laurel, Maryland in 2007 and then to Union City, California in 2013.

Joe loved sports. He especially loved baseball. Joe was an avid reader and enjoyed reading the newspaper every day. Joe accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior during his later years, and came to love God as much as he loved family and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his sisters: Geneva (Morris) Shy, Ethel (Richard) Anderson, and Syretha (Leroy) McConnell; and his brothers: Sterling (Myrtle) Pates, and Eddie (Rubye) Pates.

Joe leaves to cherish his memory his nieces: Kathleen Lewis of Union City, CA, Cassandra (Donald) Tzatum of Silver Spring, MD, Sandra McConnell of Silver Spring, MD, Anne Moore of Twinsburg, OH, Beverly Anderson of Warrenville Heights, OH, Rev. Shirely McConnell of Concord, NC, Anita Shy of Cleveland, OH, Jhanine Shy of Cleveland, OH, Melanie Shy of Columbus, OH, Patricia Pettie of Phoenix, AZ, and Danielle Johnson of Phoenix, AZ; and his nephews: Michael (Nicole) McConnell of Atlanta, GA, Torman (Kelley) Jahi of Oakland, CA; Richard Anderson, Jr. of Cleveland, OH, and Kevin Shy of Cleveland, OH; and a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.