Clinton Traynham Topping, 1904-1991

Clinton Traynham Topping was born September 30,1904, in Poquoson, Virginia, to Josiah and Amelia Clyde Bunting. In 1912, he united with Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church South in Poquoson and was active in his church until he was called to the ministry. Traynham was graduated from Poquoson High School and Randolph-Macon College. After college, Traynham taught and was an athletic coach at Poquoson High School for three years. I remember him reminiscing about his baseball days on the Poquoson semi-pro team. Traynham had an almost computer-like memory for dates, times, places, and persons, including members of his congregations beginning with his first church.

In 1929, there were two wonderful events in Traynham's life; he was appointed as supply pastor of the St. Martins Circuit on the Eastern Shore and married Charlotte Temple Firth. In 1930, he was received on trial in the Virginia Annual Conference serving as an active pastor for the next 40 years. Traynham served five years on the Eastern Shore, 11 years in Norfolk, six years in Newport News, four years in Dinwiddie, four years in Vinton, two years in Danville, and five years in Richmond.

In 1970, he and Charlotte retired from the pastoral ministry and resided in his native Poquoson where he taught a Sunday school class at his home church until his death. Traynham was a very active and forceful preacher and teacher to the very last. He preached his first sermon at St. Martins in 1929 and his final sermon at St. Martins 62 years later. In addition to Traynham's preaching, in 1991 he gave a historical address on local Methodism to the Peninsula District Historical Society, a tape of which is now in the archives.

Outside of the pastoral realm, Traynham was an ardent gardener, sports enthusiast, and fisherman. In his later years, Traynham did most of his fishing with his son and four grandsons. He, Charlotte, and "the boys" were an extremely close family who were blessed with one great-granddaughter. It is interesting to note that Traynham performed the marriage ceremonies for three of his grandsons and anticipated the fourth in the spring of 1992.

During the last 20 years of Traynham's life, he and Charlotte were the hub of a weekly "meeting and eating" fellowship of many other retired but continuously active ministers and their wives. During this fellowship, Traynham held forth as patriarch. His feeling for the Lord's message came through ever so loud and clear; in fact, I have been with Traynham on many occasions, one in particular in a shopping mall when, without being told, it became evident to this stranger we met, that Traynham was a man called to live and preach the Gospel of Christ. For the past two decades, it has been a wonderful blessing to have had Traynham as a mentor and friend in Christ.

Traynham went home on October 13, 1991. Praise be to God in the Lord Jesus Christ.

-Frederick J. Pawell