Clyde J. Garnes

CLYDE J. GARNES, was born on November 15, 1920 in Baltimore, Maryland to Ruth Wicks Garnes and Clyde Chambers Garnes. He departed this life on October 2, 2010 after a lengthy illness. Clyde was born and raised on Kelly Avenue in Mt. Washington area of Baltimore. “Babe,” as he was fondly called by friends and neighbors until Adulthood, shared many wonderful childhood memories with his family from buying apples in the winter to the fun he had jumping in the water off his back porch. He even took his children back to the neighborhood to enjoy walking the rocks and catching crayfish. He was educated in the Baltimore City Public Schools, graduating from Douglass High School in 1939. His tern in the United States Army was spent in the famed 366th Infantry regiment. T was the first and last all black army unit of its kind. He traveled to Africa and spoke often of his tour of duty in Italy. He received an Honorable Discharge on December 2, 1945. Clyde married Elizabeth Wright on March 22, 1947. They celebrated their 64th Wedding Anniversary together this year. To this union there were three children, sterling, Nena and Chianne. His youngest daughter Chianne preceded him in death in 1988 Together, Clyde and Elizabeth cared for her son Carlton and raised him as their own son. Working for the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier was his joy. He knew all the residents on his route and they took great care of him. When he brought his mail bag home at the end of the day, it was filled with everything from cookies to kittens he had he had received from those residents, who were truly his friends He retired in November 1977 after thirty- years of service. If you lived in the 2400 block of West Lexington Street, you more than likely had green outdoor carpet on your front porch and steps that Clyde installed. The neighborhood kids piled up in the car to go to the drive-in with Clyde and Elizabeth. He told those kids he could fix anything, and they surely believed him. He was the neighborhood to call on, and he would gladly help however he could. He enjoyed the outdoors and staying busy. His self-built fish pond and brick grill in the backyard and the patio he laid were enjoyed by the entire family. We have many memories of buying live crabs around the yard until he picked them up. Family was very important to Clyde. On Saturdays he took his children and grandchildren to visit his sisters and uncles. He taught his family to love each other and always work together as a team. One of his favorite sayings was “Many hands make work light,” and when something made him happy, he would reply, “Get em.” Road trips were very special to Clyde. He loved “His” cars and made sure they were in top condition to… as he would say, “hit the road. Clyde had a big heart made of Gold. He was a true friend and a devoted family man. During Clyde’s illness, his children were very dedicated to his care, and he will surely be missed. He leaves to cherish many wonderful memories: his children, Sterling and Nena (Dan); grandchildren, Carlton, Mona (Darren) and Nena Chianne; great-grandchildren, Anthony, Monet, Dakota, Joseph and Mia; loving sister, Thelma and Audrey (James); nieces, Brenda (Sam), Michelle and Janice; a devoted cousin, Ernestine; a host of other relatives and friends

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Clyde J. Garnes

November 15, 1920 - October 2, 2010