Mr. Clarence Dexter Gross

Mr. Clarence Dexter Gross of Tampa, FL peacefully entered eternal rest on Friday, February 14, 2025. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025, 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Olive AME Church, 1902 W. LaSalle Street, Tampa, FL 33607 with Minister William Cade, Officiant/Eulogist. Interment will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4207 E. Lake Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610.

Clarence, the youngest of five siblings, was the son of William Clarence Gross and Josephine Terrell Jones. He was born in Monticello, Georgia, but was reared in Athens, Georgia by his mother and stepfather, William “Bill” Jones.  He attended the public schools of Clarke County, Georgia, and graduated from Clarke Central High School. While in high school, he played football, it was his high school football teammates who gave him the nickname, “Swop”, a name that endured throughout his life.

Upon graduating from high school, Clarence continued his education at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia. After college, he was employed by Delta Airlines in Atlanta, Georgia. It was by a transfer of assignments that Clarence relocated to Tampa, Florida where he met his future wife, Kenya Sutton. They married in 2009. In addition to his employment with Delta Airlines, he was employed by Fit Life Foods, and as a “Long-Haul” Trucker. His final employment was with The City of Tampa Solid Waste Department.

An outgoing, friendly, individual, Clarence involved himself in various activities in Tampa. He was a member of The Lincoln Gardens/Carver City Civic Association; an official with Suncoast Athletics as a Referee; and a member of The Dad’s Club of Roland Park K-8 Magnet School. He also joined the Card Parties of “The Carver City Golden Girls” as the only male. Being a supportive husband, he assisted his wife in many of her school and sorority activities. These involvements lead to him acquiring numerous new friends.

Clarence was preceded in death by: his fathers, William Gross and William Jones; brother, William D. Carter; and his grandparents, Willie and Sarah Terrell.

He leaves cherished memories with: his wife, Kenya; daughters, Kayla and Kelsey; son, Davante; mother, Josephine Jones; siblings, Vanessa Carter, Demetra Smith, Derwin Carter (Marlin); grandchildren, Jamarcus Jr. and Davante Jr.; mother-in-law, Nancy Sutton; brother-in-law, Jerome Sutton Jr. (Veronica); close friend (referred to as wife # 2), Sherry Whitley; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes, and Northern Owners.

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

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