Clinton Augustus Shearin, Sr.

Mr. Clinton Augustus Shearin Sr., son of the late Alexander (Jack) Moore Shearin Sr. and Margaret Louise Spaulding Shearin, was born March 3rd, 1933 and departed this life at the Durham Veterans Administration Hospital on April 18, 2018.  His paternal grandparents were the late Charles Clinton Spaulding Sr. and Fannie Jones Spaulding.  His maternal grandparents were the late William Henry Shearin and Augusta Beverly Shearin (grand-daughter of late North Carolina Governor William A. Graham).

Growing up in Durham, North Carolina, Clint, as he was affectionately known, received his early education at Scarborough Nursery School, Whitted School and Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia NC.  After completion of the 9th grade, he returned to Durham to attend Hillside High School.  He excelled in basketball, was captain of the team and named to the North Carolina All State Basketball Team. After high school, Clint received a basketball scholarship to attend Hampton Institute in Virginia.  Upon leaving Hampton Institute, he served honorably in the United States Airforce as an Air Policeman from 1953 to 1957.

In 1957, Clint once again returned home, and enrolled in North Carolina College at Durham (now North Carolina Central University). While attending, he met the former Arnetta Perry of Durham North Carolina.  In 1960 they were married and to this union, two children were born; Clinton “Chip” Jr. and Marsha. In 1961 he graduated and earned a bachelor’s Degree in Health Education.

Over the course of his working career, he was employed with Granville County Schools, John Avery Boys’ Club Inc., C.A. Dillion School in Butner North Carolina, and Operation Breakthrough, Inc.  In 1969, he accepted a position with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina as a Provider Relations Representative. During his tenure, he met and later married the former Barbara Lipscomb of Caswell County. They remained together until her untimely passing in 2010.  Clint retired from Blue Cross and Blue Shield in 1996.

Before and during retirement, Mr. Shearin enjoyed travelling, working on his lawn, gardening and planting flowers. He enjoyed photography where his subjects would range from family and friends, national landmarks to scenes from nature. His love of basketball endured his entire life and was the consummate couch coach and expert from October to April.  Aside from photography and basketball, Mr. Shearin had a real passion and love for music (jazz in particular) and in his latter years could often be heard telling “Alexa” which song or artist he wanted to hear.

Over the last nine years, Mr. Shearin enjoyed residence at independent living communities where his easy going, cheerful and good-natured behavior afforded him several new friends.  He enjoyed group outings to watch the Durham Bulls and the Duke Women’s basketball games.  Never losing his sense of humor or love for life, he enjoyed recounting and telling stories of his memories as a young boy and young man growing up in Durham, the years he served in the Airforce and of his beloved family.

During his childhood, Clint was a member of St. Joseph A.M.E Church and served as a junior usher.  During the last few weeks of his life, he expressed an urgent desire to return to his home church. On Sunday, April 15, 2018 that desire was fulfilled. On that Sunday, Clint re-committed his life to Christ and renewed his membership with St. Joseph A.M.E Church.

Mr. Shearin was predeceased by his older brother Alexander Moore Shearin Jr., sister-in-law Betty Spurlock Shearin and brother-in-law Paul J Perry Sr.

He leaves to cherish his memories of a life well lived, a son Clinton “Chip” A Shearin Jr. (Kristal), and a daughter, Marsha K Shearin (Purusha Jones).  Three grandsons Cole, Maxwell and Skylar; two aunts, Roberta Shearin and Josephine S Strayhorne; a sister-in-law Carolene Perry Griffin, a brother-in-law Minister Maurice Lipscomb; a daughter-in-law Monique Butler Shearin and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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