Saying Goodbye, and Asking for a Little Help
My father is going home to be with God | Another Angel in Heaven
“It is just a bottle of water, dad”, I said as my dad gave his grandson a sip. He looked amazed as the baby drank out of the water bottle to share with his grandpa. It was a sweet small gesture but my favorite picture of the two of them.
This small moment when my father finally got to play with our son sticks in my head. The boomer generation and generation z playing, laughing, and loving. A time was had by us all.
The man who made sure I had crossed my legs as I sat like a lady had a new generation of grandchildren, that he was so proud of. Ones that I know he wish he had more time with, and they wish they had one more day with him.
We can only be so honored.
He lived a full life. He wasn’t a rich man in money but one in love, duty, honor and respect. He didn’t just rear his kids, he gave us real-world no-nonsense advice that we could do anything from corrections to service in the military, to owning our own businesses and more
Clarence did not sugar coat a thing. He left us ready for this world and the next. That is just the kind of man he was.
And I am sad, he is gone.
Good morning, Icons,
It is with a broken heart that I relay this message. My father, Clarence Pulley Jr is gone. He is dead and finally finished his race to go be with the Lord Jesus Christ.
What can I say about the man that meant everything to me. I have his face, I have his words, I understand God only because I was blessed to grow up with a father who loved Him.
In the inner city of Baltimore, Maryland the stereotype is that kids do not know their father. Not only did I know mine, but he was also my best friend. Oh, did he love my mom. An Iconic Marriage, if there ever was one. He wanted only the best for me, my siblings, our spouses and his grandkids.
I know his love now more now than ever.
I appreciate him, even when he was angry with me because that was his brand of honesty. We are so alike, both being Cancers on the Zodiac, our birth days 4 days apart, that this sometimes-caused rifts with us, being that I got my opinionated and brass nature from him. He protected me by making me tough enough to be a soldier, heck, it was his fault and idea that I joined the military!
“Do what you gotta do to make it home to us”, my dad said. And that is just what I did. Two tours later and many moons after. I made sure that I came back from Iraq to see him and mom waiting for me with my siblings as I got off the plane.
Yet, the little girl in me misses him dearly more than I can type today.
Clarence, Jumo, Pulley did not mince his words. He was honest with anyone and did not hold back what he was thinking. He was strict, he was caring, he was loving. He was many times inappropriate with his specific brand of humor that I can laugh now while I type instead of crying, tears I shed to the first man who had my heart.
My tears are not just grief but for a man that deserve every drop. I know what a good man is because of him and good in the world, because he taught me as his eldest daughter.
I say goodbye to my dad, ‘til I see you again.
Saying Goodbye, and Asking for a Little Help
I have been to war. I have PTSD from military sexual assault. I have Crohn’s disease. I have childbirth trauma. I have many things that I can be upset about and complain about.
Yet, I have resilience, thanks to my dad.
It's with a heavy heart that I share the news of my father's passing. Clarence Pulley Jr., who left our family at 1:15 pm February 6, 2024, after a long and courageous battle with heart disease and diabetes among other things. While we, those who loved him, are heartbroken by this loss, we are also filled with gratitude for the time we had with him and the incredible impact he had on all our lives. We are eternally grateful with the gift as his legacy going forward.
My dad was a Minister serving the Lord Jesus Christ in the Apostolic Faith since he was a little boy baptized in the faith under a legacy of God-fearing men like Elder Eudios Pulley and Clarence Pulley Sr before him. A family tree of honor and duty, my father was a passionate husband, loving dad, and caring grandfather. Serving the Lord and serving his family meant everything to him. His sense of humor, honoring his vows to my mother for 40+ years and doing the work God called him to do was his life’s legacy. He was more than just a father to me, he was my mentor, my confidant, and my best friend.
His absence leaves a void that will never be filled.
This moment has been incredibly difficult as we navigate our grief and begin to make arrangements to honor his memory. Unfortunately, the costs associated with a funeral and memorial service are significant, and my family wasn't fully prepared for this unexpected expense.
This is why I'm reaching out to you, my community, for support. We've started a fundraising campaign to help cover the costs of the funeral with burial and church services and need the funds as soon as possible. Any contribution, no matter how small, would be deeply appreciated and would help us give my father the dignified farewell he deserves.
We understand that not everyone is in a position to donate, and that's perfectly okay. Your thoughts, prayers, and shared memories of my father are just as valuable to us during this time. If you knew my dad, please feel free to share a story or memory of him in the comments below – it would mean the world to our family to hear them.
We are so grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support we've already received. Thank you for being a part of our lives and thank you for considering helping us during this difficult time. We will keep you updated on the funeral arrangements as they are finalized.
With love and gratitude,
Nicole Pinkston
Iconic Marriage CEO | Mrs. Pinky Thoughts podcast host
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One of my dad’s favorite songs.
So sorry for your loss nicole. 🙏🙏💕