Deacon Cornelius A. Clory, Sr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and son of the late Hattie McJunkin and Carlease Clory, Sr. was born June 22, 1955, in Richmond, Virginia.

Affectionately called Neal by his loved ones and Deacon Clory at church, lived a glorious life of devotion to God and his family. During his young adult years living in New York, he was a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. He also met his beautiful wife Gladys and got married in 1978, they relocated to Ruther Glen, Virginia, in 1981.

In 1982, Neal and his family became members of Ebenezer Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Neal was a man of faith and fervor, filled with the Holy Spirt, and always eager to give God glory. He was a praiser who worshipped the Lord with songs and shouts of praise. He uplifted others through his anointed voice, ushering congregations into praise and worship through various choirs and praise teams that he served on and led throughout his life, including the gospel music collective Hebrew Boys; Ebenezer Choir; True Deliverance Church Choir; Greater Refuge Inspirational Choir, Praise Team, and Men’s Choir; and Greater Anointing Praise Team and Men’s Choir. He has served in various auxiliaries in the church and was an ordained deacon.

In addition to his gifted voice, Neal is remembered for his infectious smile, laughter, humor, and jokes that brought joy to all who knew him. He loved children, especially his grandchildren, and they loved him. He brought them such delight with the play rides that he gave them, swinging and twirling them through the air like an airplane. He also loved desserts, and eventually learned how to make his own delicious pound cakes after he retired from Value City Warehouse in 2019. Neal was also a jack of all trades with a particular skill for gardening. He was a passionate gardener who created beautiful landscapes on the spacious land that he shared with his wife and offered tips to family members and friends on ways to improve their own gardens.

Neal lived a blessed 68 years on this earth and transitioned to his eternal home in heaven on September 15, 2023, with his beloved granddaughter, Leeya Janae Leaverette. Together, they have joined a host of saints and loved ones who passed on before them, including Neal’s parents, mother-in-love (Corine Roberts), chosen brother (Reginald King), and son-in-love (Sherard Leaverette).

He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 45 years, Gladys; his children, Danyel Leaverette, Tiffany (Vernon) Amos and Cornelius Clory Jr.; his grandchildren, Tristan and Taliya Amos; his siblings, Carlease (Nadine) Clory, Celeste Copeland, Claude Clory, and Clyde Clory; Gloria Barnes a devoted aunt who was like a mother, his blended family, Deborah Foxx and Toya McJunkin; his extended family, Andrew and Nancy Washington, Linda, Alex, and Julian King; and a host of, nieces, nephews, and friends.