Clara Elizabeth Mallory

Clara Elizabeth Mallory’s life was truly a sweet journey. She was the sixth of nine children born to the late James and Sallie Asmon Albert on April 2, 1924, in West Columbia, South Carolina. Clara  Elizabeth grew up with a firm foundation in the Lord, serving in the Heyward African Methodist Episcopal Church, where her father’s name is on the cornerstone. She peacefully went to meet and forever reign with Jesus on Friday, October 18, 2019 at 3:11 a.m.

Clara Elizabeth was a trailblazer and role model for her nine siblings, having been the first to attend Lake View High School and college.  Upon graduation, she moved to New York pursuing her  cosmetology license. While in New York, she met and married the late Shelton Mallory, a WWII Veteran. Elizabeth worked faithfully in Manhattan for over 29 years as a receptionist at a Eliz Brothers Manufacturing Company. They joyfully opened their home to allow their siblings and extended family to join them in New York for better life opportunities. Elizabeth raised her sister Edvenia’s daughter Patricia Dent, as her own in 1952 and taught Patricia to love and serve Jesus.

Late in their marriage, they had a gorgeous baby boy. Elizabeth loved Patricia so much she asked her to name her son.  She named him Jerry Shelton Mallory. He was their true love and blessing.  Clara Elizabeth faithfully raised her family in a Methodist church in the 60’s and served faithfully at Gates of Heaven, Pentecostal Church, in 1968. One of her proudest moments was having her son Jerry called to the ministry where he serves faithfully in leadership and obedience to God. Elizabeth loved her son Jerry so much she picked out his wife, Anne Marie, when he was a 16 year old Pentecostal preacher.

 Clara Elizabeth turned tragedy into triumph in 1971 when a block fire destroyed 5 houses causing the Mallorys to have to relocate to her  brother Horace’s three story apartment building. There was community land behind her home and Clara Elizabeth was able to get the Mayor to release the land for her to build a neighborhood garden. She taught the young mothers to garden as well as to take care of their children. She was instrumental in helping drug dealers, rapists and crack addicted women get off the streets, go back to school and get jobs to take care of their families. She was committed to teaching them the value of a dollar, how to love God and how to forgive others. This was truly the mantra she lived by. She ran the community with LOVE. For these great works she received a proclamation from the mayor. Local politicians and law enforcement respected her and knew her by name.

Clara Elizabeth victoriously retired to Columbia, South Carolina in 2003 so that she could proudly live on her daddy’s land and reconnect with her beloved Heyward  AME Church family. One of her greatest joys at Heyward was singing and encouraging the saints to praise the Lord. Her favorite songs were: He is Sweet I Know, I Feel Good and I Won’t Complain.

After suffering a fall and infection on October 3, 2017,  Clara Elizabeth relocated to Tampa, Florida to live   under the loving care of her devoted son Apostle Jerry Shelton and his caring wife Pastor Anne Marie and their family.

Her husband Shelton Mallory, whom she was married to for 35 years,  preceded her in death, dying in her loving arms. Seven of her siblings preceded her in death including: Corene Albert, Edvenia Dent, Ruthene Blume, Jimmie Lee Jackson, Alline Glover, James Jr. Albert and Horace Albert.

She leaves to cherish her life: Her son Apostle Jerry Shelton Mallory, daughter in love Pastor Anne Marie, daughter Patricia Dent,  grandchildren: Elisha Stancil, Michelle Smalls, Jeremy Mallory, Great Grandchildren: Kyla, Antonio, Issabelle, Cordel, her beloved sister Mayola Albert who came to spend a week with her last year and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, godchildren, cousins, friends, neighbors and church family.

Mother Mallory was used by God to change the lives of  people around the USA. She fed the homeless, helped the addicted, ministered to couples, preached and sang in churches throughout the United States, led souls to Christ, helped build churches, including her son’s ministry. She boldly spoke to 6,000 church leaders, paid for weddings, helped secure jobs and basic needs for family and those in the community.                                 

Clara Elizabeth Mallory will be fondly remembered by her cousins and their children for her weekly Sunday evening phone calls to give encouragement and share the word of God.

95 years is a long time to live on this earth, serving the Lord. Clara Elizabeth did it with great love and grace and SHE DID NOT COMPLAIN! Mother has graciously returned to her “Heavenly Daddy’s Land!”                                                                          

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clara Elizabeth Mallory, please visit our floral store.