CL Whitfield

CL Whitfield was born on August 8, 1935, to Elwyser Richardson Black and Cleveland Whitfield, Sr. in Branchville, TX. He was the third-oldest child of nine siblings, and the brother of seven girls and one older brother. CL accepted Christ at an early age, and graduated from Blackshear High School in Lamesa, TX.  

 CL met his wife of 65 years, Betty Bundage, in Lamesa, TX, in 1955. They were married in 1957, and to that union three children were born, Ricky, Pamela, and Michael Whitfield. After relocating to Los Angeles, California, in 1960, he worked for GM for 30 years as a forklift operator, before retiring in 1990 to help raise his three grandchildren. 

 During his time in California, Rev. CL Whitfield acknowledged his call to ministry under Pastor Herbert Collins at St. John M.B.C. in Los Angeles, CA in 1995, before he and his wife, Minister Betty Whitfield, and their three grandchildren relocated to Temple, Texas to care for their elderly parents. There, he united with the Mount Zion M.B.C. family under the leadership of Pastor Charles Maze, where he wore many hats such as preacher, Sunday School teacher, as well as groundskeeper. He also worked as a school crossing guard for Temple Independent School District for 17 years.  

 In 2018, Minister and Rev. Whitfield relocated to Irmo, South Carolina, where they resided with their oldest son. He joined Macedonia Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Norris Scarbourgh. In his spare time, he enjoyed walking, fishing, playing dominoes and golf.  

CL is survived by his three children; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; his sister; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Betty Whitfield; father, Cleveland, Sr.; mother, Elwyser Whitfield; babies, Mattie Mae, Mary Lee, and Alice Fay Whitfield; brother and sisters, Cleveland Whitfield, Jr., Rosie N. Davis, Gladys M. Hunter, and Estella Mathis.  

Rev. Whitfield's service will be webcast for those unable to attend in person. Please click on this link on or after 11:00 AM Friday, July 19, 2024, to view his complete funeral service. This link will remain active for 90 days after his service (until October 19, 2024)