Obituary of Troy Cleckler

Troy Cleckler, age 83, of Clanton, passed away on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, surrounded by his family and loved ones. Troy was born on Monday, October 2, 1939 to Rev. Grady Cleckler and Cleedie Mabel Mims Cleckler. Troy attended Concord School before attending Chilton County High School, where he graduated in 1957. He was always very intelligent and got double promoted twice during his time there, with the help of having a photographic memory. After high school, Troy attended and graduated from Alverson-Draughon Business College in Birmingham with a degree in accounting and payroll. On the weekends, he would come home to help on the family farm and worked for Speigner-Brown Service Funeral Home under Mr. R. L. "Bob" White. During this time and afterwards, he was a very good baseball player for several Birmingham Baseball League teams. Troy was a funeral director, cemeterian, business owner, construction foreman, accountant, payroll manager, church secretary and treasurer, volunteer fireman and first responder, and farmer. He was a Past Grand Master of the Alabama Chapter of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, serving his term from 1998-1999. Troy is survived by the love of his life and wife of 56 years: Carolyn Sue Littleton Cleckler. They wed on January 28, 1966. Also survived by three loving children: Troy Darrand Cleckler (Leigh Ann), Terry D. Cleckler (Jeanette Akins), and April Dawn Cleckler Johnson (Ron). Survived by four grandchildren, whom he loved dearly: Jace Lee Johnson, Tyler Lee Johnson, Katie Lynn Johnson, and Alex Byron Crumley. Survived by his brother, neighbor, and good friend: Rev. Willie Thurmond (Myrtis) Cleckler. Survived by sister-in-law: Lois Caudle Cleckler-Miller. Survived by their loving fur babies: Ginger, Maggie, Freddie, and Kitty Kitty. Troy was preceded in death by his parents: Rev. Grady & Cleedie Mims Cleckler; siblings: John Douglas Cleckler, George Vernon Cleckler, and Baby Boy Cleckler; best friends: Willard Mahan, Billy Joe Minor, and Joe Gibson; in-laws: Fonza & Nora Thomaston Littleton; step mother-in-law: Irma Durbin Littleton; many other family members and loved ones. Troy loved his family, loved working in his yard and in his garden, attending singing schools, listening to and participating in convention style gospel music singings. Troy had hundreds of friends that loved him dearly and he would help them anytime that he could. Sometimes he could be brutally honest, but we loved him for it. He loved God, his family, his friends, his community, and his fellow man. He will be missed deeply by his family and so many others. Funeral services will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at Pinedale Assembly of God Church in Clanton. The family will receive friends from 5pm-7pm, prior to the service, at the church. Private interment will occur at a later date in Chilton Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Pinedale Assembly of God Church in honor of his memory or to your favorite charity. Arrangements entrusted to Ellison Memorial Funeral Home of Clanton and W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel of Rainsville.