Cledis Darnell Dorn Box

Cledis Darnell Dorn Box was born on December 24, 1969, in Malvern, Arkansas to Ruth Ann Doby and Leotis Box. He answered God’s call on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Cledis grew up in the home surrounded with the love of his mother, Ruth Ann; his grandmother, Mildred, along with his first cousin, Dyeama Brandon, whom he cherished as a sister. 

Cledis graduated from Prattsville High School in 1988, which was a modern-day miracle. There he excelled in basketball. It was amazing to see a person of such small stature soar to the basket. Cledis spent summers in Portland, Oregon with his Aunt Butch, Uncle Leonard, and sister Chastity. He eventually moved there with his Aunt Elsie to make it his home for years.

Cledis met Stephanie Barrow, and the two formed a union where three sons were born. In the late ninety’s he started working for Precision Castparts where he worked for over 10 years before becoming disabled and unable to perform his daily duties at work. If you wanted to find Cledis during the summer, you could find him behind the bar-b-que grill with his favorite beverage or at the water’s edge fishing. Cledis enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Cledis was also known as, “Cletdog” and “Blet.” He was the type of person you could always count on.

In 2020, Cledis moved back to Arkansas to settle down and continue to enjoy life being back where it all started. Cledis spent his time preparing a comfortable place for his mother Ruth Ann whom he loved dearly, so that she could come and live with him. While also you would find him helping and spending time with his Aunt Elsie and Aunt Netta, whom he loved and had a special bond.

Cledis was preceded in death by his father, Leotis Box, and stepmother Linda Box; his beloved grandparents, Mildred “Mother” and Theo Doby, Otis Lee Box, Emma Lee Harris, and his Great grandmother Cora Carter. 

Cledis Darnell Dorn Box leaves behind a legacy that will continue through his mother, Ruth Ann Doby of Malvern, AR; seven children, Leland Pritchett of Portland, OR; Jasmine (Josh) Daniels of Malvern, AR; Brandon Hess of Austin, TX; Isaiah Dorn of Portland, OR; TaJanae Clegg of Portland, OR; Elijah Dorn of Portland, OR; Jediah Dorn of Portland, OR; nine grandchildren, and a special friend Shannon Hawkins; six sisters, Chastity Clegg of Portland OR; Tina (Mister) Powell of Lake Charles, LA; Amy Box of Indianapolis, IN; Margo Box of Rockford, IL; Leilani (Romaric) Awadjihe of Birmingham, AL and LaRhonda Guinn of Everett, WA; four brothers, Joe (Paris) Nolan of Malvern, AR; Stephen (Karen) Booth of Little Rock, AR; Lee Box of Portland, OR, and Darren Guinn, Sr. of Portland, OR. He also leaves special cousins that were like a sister and brothers Dyeama (Derrick) Amos of Malvern, AR, Reggie (Lisa) Clegg of Portland, OR; Rodney (Sharon) Doby of Malvern, AR; Morey (Keysha) Fleming and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other family members and friends who have become family.

Submitted by the Dorn, Doby, and Box Families.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2024 at First Baptist Church- Rockport. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at First Baptist Church – Rockport with Rev. Forest Chester Cooper, eulogist. The interment will be at Philadelphia Cemetery in Prattsville, Arkansas.

Active pallbearers will be Leland Prichett, Isiah Dorn, Jediah Dorn, Elijah Dorn, Brandon Hess, Joe Nolen, Stephen Booth, and Lee Box Jr. Honorable to mention are Darren Guinn, Derrick Amos. Rodney Doby, Reggie Clegg, Morey Fleming, and Clark Cooper.