Rev. Clifton Trentham

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Rev. James "Clifton" Trentham, 93, of Marble Hill passed away Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born March 7, 1926, in Bessville, Missouri, son of James Madison and Elmine Upchurch Trentham. He first married Irene Williams on May 10, 1945, and she passed away Aug. 3, 2003. He then married Deloris Jackson on Jan. 1, 2004.

Clifton started preaching for the Lord in 1944 and pastored Mount Hope Church in Wayne County, Missouri, prior to being licensed. He was licensed by Hurricane Fork General Baptist Church in 1951. He continued pastoring Mount Hope and was ordained at the meeting of the Old Liberty Association on Oct. 18, 1952, at Chaffee (Missouri) General Baptist Church. He was the first minister of Jackson General Baptist Church in 1959.

He is survived by his wife, Deloris Trentham; sons, Jimmy (Sarah) Trentham of Oakland City, Indiana, Jerry (Jennifer) Trentham of Glen Allen, Missouri, and Kenneth (Cathy) Trentham of Marble Hill; daughters, Doris (Kenneth) Denton of Beebe, Arkansas, and Debbie (Monnie) Jones of Marble Hill; stepchildren, Mitchell (Theresa) Jackson of Cape Girardeau and Deborah (Harold) Lancaster of Delta; 24 grandchildren; and 50 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Irene Trentham; parents; stepdaughter, Cheryl Pruett; two brothers; three sisters; and son-in-law, Randy Masters.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hurricane Fork General Baptist Church, with Jimmy Trentham, the Rev. Kenny Trentham, Jerry Trentham, the Rev. Chris Masters and the Rev. Monnie Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the restoration of Marble Hill Family Fellowship Gym.