Clarence Dockery Sr.

Clarence Dockery Sr., or "Pete," as he was affectionately known, 83, of Cape Girardeau was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010. His final days were spent surrounded by family.

Pete was born June 16, 1926, in Clarendon, Ark., to the late Joseph and Mary Ebron Dockery. Clarence and Genevieve Terry were married May 14, 1946, in St. Louis. They were married 63 years.

Clarence is survived by eight children, Genetha (Benny) Johnson, Clarence Jr. (Paula) Dockery, Debra Dockery, Donna (Maurice) Pitts of St. Louis, Victor (Pat) Dockery, Joseph Dockery (Keshia), Shannon James and Monica James; and a brother, Louis (Alvin) Rogers. He also raised Tameka, Eddie and Lennie Dickerson.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife and children; 22 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; beloved nieces Betty Neal and Patricia Washington; a nephew, Robert Washington; and a host of other family and friends.

His parents and sisters, Mary Sylvester Garcia and Essie Mae Washington, preceded him in death.

Clarence was employed 14 years by Union Pacific Railroad in Rawlins, Wyo. He retired from the city of Cape Girardeau where he was a waste water technician.

Anyone who knew Pete knew he was quite a character. He was always dapper and could often be found polishing every inch of his car -- he was partial to Cadillacs, Lincolns and Oldsmobiles. The personalized plates on his last car read, appropriately, MR DOCK.

Clarence enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with his family. He had a quick smile, loved a good joke and was always ready for a family get-together and eating one of his favorite burgers, the BK Whopper.

He loved his grandchildren and had a nickname for everybody. Although he is not physically with us, Clarence's spirit will live on. In his final days Clarence's family was able to witness to him and he confessed his belief in Christ. We know he is safe in the arms of the Lord, his final resting place.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time Saturday at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.

The funeral will be at noon Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Johnny Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Lorimier Cemetery.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of home I lived in or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be different because I was important in the life of my family.