On July 4, 1948, Clarence and Valeria A. [Powell] Woodfork celebrated "Independence Day" with an explosion of their own. A baby boy was born on that day and they named him Clarence Eugene Woodfork, Jr.

Better known as "Skip" to all who knew him, he began his education at Bunch Elementary school, then moved on to Anderson Junior High School and ultimately graduated from the acclaimed Booker T. Washington High School with the prestigious Class of 1966. Skip then matriculated to Langston University, where he graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Art Degree in Education, with a Major in History and a Minor in Sociology. It was while attending Langston that Skip became a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

On June 27, 1970, Skip married his college sweet-heart, Carol Stevenson in Wewoka, Oklahoma. The couple moved to his home-town of Tulsa to establish their residence. From this union, three children were born; Erica, Clarence II, and Kimberly. Skip and Carol were married for 23 years until the dissolution of the marriage in 1994.

During his early formative years, Skip confessed a hope in Christ, was baptized and became a faithful member of New Jerusalem Baptist Church, under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend J. L. Potter. He grew spiritually during his youthful days and New Jerusalem. He sang in the choir, giving God the Glory with his perfect Baritone voice. It was something about his dynamic voice, whether speaking or singing that caught your attention-not realizing that later in his adult years he would use his voice to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The family later moved their membership to the St. Andrews Baptist church under Dr. B. M. Bailey, the Pastor. The family remained faithful members, serving in various organizations within the church. With Skip still sharing his harmonious voice in the choir, it was there at St. Andrew on the 12th day of June in 1988 that he was licensed to preach the Gospel and on the 20th day of March in 1991, he was ordained to the work of the Gospel Ministry. Reverend Woodfork preached the Gospel for 19 years, Pastoring for 11 of those years. From 1991 to 2002, he Pastored the First Baptist Church of Summit. He celebrated 8 years of service there.

In 1995, Reverend Woodfork met and married Billye Joyce Brown of Muskogee. To this union, no children were born, but the families were blended together with three girls and three boys. The couple united in marriage in Summit, but moved to Tulsa to establish their home, all while traveling back and forth to serve the congregation in Summit. Due to the failing health of Mrs. Woodfork's mother, the couple moved to Muskogee.

Later, Reverend Woodfork organized and founded the Agape Christian Center Ministry in Tulsa, where he served as pastor for 3 years. Later, the couple united with Praise Center Family Church, under the Pastoral guidance of Dr. Stephen Wiley. The served the Lord faithfully for 2 years.

There was a great spiritual tugging at Reverend Woodfork's heart, and on November 6, 2005, he returned home and along with his wife, re-united with New Jerusalem Baptist Church under Reverend Arice Pittman. He served on the ministerial staff until his death.

Skip began his work experience with the Jevenile Bureau of District Corut, Northside Branch Coordinator, Oklahoma Alliance Against Druggs, Northeast Regional Coordinator, Counselor, Street School, Inc., Project PACT Coordinator, Tulsa Public Schools, Manager of Northside Family Resource Center, Youth Services of Tulsa, Certified HIV/AIDS counselor and testing, Tulsa Metropolitan Counseling Service, Teachers Aide at Thomas Edison Middle School, Tulsa Public School and Care Coordinator, Associated Centers for Therapy, Inc. He received recognition for his service from many groups, clubs and organizations.

It was his voice, his support of Education and his sincere desire for youth to achieve that aided him in his professional career, for when he spoke, you would listen. He would often say "they may take away a lot of things, but they can't take away that, that I know; get a good education." It was with this thought in mind that he organized the E. W. Wood School, serving grades Kindergarten through 8th grade.

On Saturday evening, the 27th day of January, in the year of our Lord, Two-thousand, seven, the Lord, in his most infinite wisdom, dispatched a flock of Angels to lead The Reverend Clarence E. Woodfork, Jr., through the Golden Gates of Heaven. He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence E. Woodfork and his mother, Valeria Woodfork.

He leaves in God's care; his wife, Billye Joyce Woodfork; two daughters, Erica Ivey and Kimberly Woodfork, both of Tulsa; a son, Clarence Eugene Woodfork, III, Fayetteville, Arkansas; the mother of his children, Carol Watson, Wewoka, Oklahoma; his grandchildren, Stephen Ivey and Brittany Ivey; a great-grandchild, Jordan Robinson, all of Tulsa, Oklahoma; three step-children, Captoria Brown, Irving, Texas, E. Eugene Brown and William Brown [Janice], all of Muskogee, Oklahoma; three step-grandchildren, Orteca Nunley, Irving, Texas, Laticia Nunley, Muskogee, Oklahoma and Patricia Land [Robert], Boynton, Oklahoma; one step-great-granddaughter; three special cousins, Bobby McIntosh, Viola "Cookie" Riser and Penny Warrior, all of Tulsa, Oklahoma; along with a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The Tribute will be on Saturday, February 3, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. in the New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Reverend Aris Pittman, gracious host Pastor. The Christian Committal will follow in Green Acres Memorial Gardens. You may visit Reverend Woodfork, as he slumbers at the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc., on Friday from 12 Noon to 7 PM at the funeral home.