Charles Clapp Demeré, 84 of Huntsville, died peacefully at home.
Born in Savannah, GA to Raymond McCallister and Josephine Mobley Demeré, Charles attended High School at St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH. He graduated from Yale University in 1950 and Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA in 1953 when he was ordained into the Episcopal ministry.
During his senior year at seminary, he married Margaret Birney Crawford of Baltimore, MD. They raised their family in various cities in which Charles served, including Tifton and Atlanta, GA, and St. Alban’s Parish in Washington, DC. When Charles ‘retired’ from the ministry, he worked for the Model Cities Program in Housing and Urban Development in Washington, DC. During that time he became actively involved as a volunteer in the Church of the Savior outreach programs.
In 1991, the Demerés moved to St. Mary’s City in southern Maryland, but Charles maintained an active participation in The Church of the Savior as well as The Episcopal Dioceses of Maryland and Washington, DC.
Charles was a passionate advocate for the downtrodden, serving on many Diocesan committees for justice, poverty, Central American issues and racial equality. He also founded Debley, Inc, a family charitable foundation in 1961using money from his inheritance. His desire was to gather his extended family to find creative ways to make a lasting difference in this world. Debley’s Mission is to empower the disadvantaged, with a focus on economic opportunity, especially for women.
Charles loved to sail with family and friends, owning a boat from age 7 – 70. Until his latter days, he loved his morning runs and daily lectionary readings. He enjoyed tennis, stamp and coin collecting, playing bridge and telling jokes. He usually had a ready smile and an open heart.
Charles was pre-deceased by his son, David in 2010. He is survived by Margaret, his wife of sixty years; Bill Demeré and his wife Maggie of Blacksburg, VA; Jodie Demeré Clements and her husband Dennis of Huntsville, AL; and Paul Demeré of Manhattan, KS; grandchildren Lucretia, Seth and Tyler Yentes (children of David and his wife, Chris Yentes); Paul, Will, Andrea and Eliza (Children of Bill and Maggie); Amy Castor, Jessica Martin and Leah Clements (three daughters of Jodie and Dennis Clements); and five great-grandchildren: Ming, Lun and Ada in Monroe, ME; and Jaxon and Clarissa in Huntsville, AL.
Arrangements will be announced later by Spry Funeral Home of Huntsville.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to make donations to your favorite charity or to Debley, Inc. c/o Ben Osbun, Treasurer, 127 Edgewood Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803.
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