Charlotte Clary

Charlotte Clary passed away on June 24, 2020 at age 94. She was born on November 23, 1925 to O.L. and Annie Mae Ellis of Heidelberg, Mississippi.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Rick O. Clary.

She is survived by her son, Neal (Sharon) Clary, long-time Selma residents and their daughter, Kristina; daughter, Keven Clary Seal of Selma and Ron (Maureen) Clary of Valley Center, California.

Charlotte Ellis grew up in Heidelberg, Mississippi.  After graduation, she worked in Mobile where she met her husband Rick Clary.  After his return from WWII service in the Pacific, they settled in Tuscaloosa as he began a sales career with Tom’s Foods. The family moved with Tom’s to Birmingham; then to Dothan in 1956 where she worked as an auditor for the IRS. In 1962, the family moved to Selma where The Clarys bought the local Tom’s distributorship.  She continued with the IRS; then in 1965 joined her husband at Clary Tom’s Sales until his death in 2004.  Mrs. Clary was affectionately known as “Mrs. C” or “‘Mrs. Tom” by employees, customers and kids who stopped by the “Warehouse” on Alabama Avenue to buy Tom’s Peanuts or other snacks. Mrs. Clary continued the business as Clary Snack Sales with her son, Neal. She remained active in its operation until her passing, concluding 55 years in the family business.

Due to limitations caused by COVID-19, no public visitation or service will be held. Condolences may be mailed to 1914 Alabama Avenue, Selma, Alabama 36701 or submitted online at www.lawrencebrownservice.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse; P. O. Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina 28607 (samaritanspurse.org) or ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 (stjude.org).