The Reverend Clifton C. Blythe, Jr., 93, of Corapeake, NC passed away on July 14, 2010. A native of Franklin, VA, he was the son of the late Clifton C. Blythe, Sr. and Annie Betty Edwards Blythe and was predeceased by his wife of over 71 years, Edna Earl Rountree Blythe, and brothers, Earving C. Blythe and Raymond B. Blythe. He graduated from: Franklin High School and was president of his senior class; Benjamin Franklin University with a BS degree in business; Duke University Divinity School and attended Randolph Macon College and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Rev. Blythe retired in 1986 from the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church and served the following churches: Magnolia (Suffolk); Trinity (Richmond); Market Street (Onancock); Emmanuel (Amherst) and was Pastor Emeritus of St. Andrews (Portsmouth). Prior to entering the ordained ministry, Rev. Blythe was a field auditor and accountant for the Camp Manufacturing Company and owned and operated Blythe Dry Cleaners and Laundry in Franklin. He served High Street Methodist Church in several leadership capacities; was a certified lay minister; and was an active volunteer for Troop 17, Boy Scouts of America and the Old Dominion Area Council, BSA. He was a member of the Order of the Arrow (Chanco Lodge) and was an adult advisor for Chanco Lodge.

Rev. Blythe is survived by his three sons and daughters-in-law: C. Earl Blythe (Louise) of Franklin, Stephen E. Blythe (JoAnn) of Chesapeake and Barry C. Blythe (Barbara) of Chesapeake; four grandchildren: Christine Earl Blythe, Ryan Stephen Blythe, Amy Blythe Sims and Sarah Blythe Jordan and three great grandchildren: Carter S. Nham, Caroline Blythe Nham and John Paul (Jack) Sims, IV. He is also survived by his sister, Frances Blythe Holt (Franklin) and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

A funeral service will be held at Parr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk, on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Michael Reaves of St. Andrews United Methodist Church and the Rev. Susan Reaves of High Street United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Holly Lawn Cemetery in Suffolk. Friends may join the family at the funeral home on Friday, July 16, 2010 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Boy Scout Troop 17, building fund, care of High Street United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 218, Franklin, VA 23851 or to Saint Andrews United Methodist Church, 5615 Portsmouth Blvd., Portsmouth, VA 23701, c/o Blythe Memorial Fund. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com

The family would like to express its sincere appreciation to the Albemarle Hospice social worker Brandi Jordan, MSW, Dr. Alan W. Edwards, Southampton Memorial Hospital and caregivers, Kathy, Nancy, Emma, Mona, Susan and Dell for their dedicated, compassionate and loving care.