Rev. Cutter, Sr.

Reverend Clifford H. Cutter, Sr., the second oldest of five children was born on December 11, 1943 to the late Tannie (T.W.) and Lillian Cutter in Sylvania, Georgia. He departed this earthly life on Wednesday, November 25, 2015.

His educational development began in the Screven County School System. In 1963, he graduated from Central High School in Sylvania, Georgia; where he played on the football team and was awarded a scholarship to Michigan State University. He furthered his education in the Armed Services by attending the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant within nine months of enlisting in the Special Services Unit. His two years of service also included Vietnam. He received the Army Commendation Medal for bravery and heroism. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army on March 15, 1968.

After leaving the Armed Forces, Reverend Cutter re-located to Philadelphia, where he later married his childhood sweetheart, Ernestine Barnes. God blessed this union with two children; Gail and Clifford, Jr.

His Christian experience began at the New Waters Grove Baptist Church in Sylvania, Georgia in 1954, where he served on the Junior Choir and as a Junior Deacon. He was also very active in Sunday School.

Shortly after Reverend Cutter re-located to Philadelphia, he was employed by the Laddie Boy Company. When he returned from the Armed Services in 1968, he was employed by the John Bargain Stores as a manager. A few years later, he became an entrepreneur and joined partnership with Reverend Harry Moore, Sr. They were blessed to open the C & H Bargain Stores in three locations of Philadelphia.

In 1978, he joined the Resurrection Baptist Church in West Philadelphia where he served on the #2 Choir, Senior Choir, Male Chorus, and as a Sunday School Teacher. Two years after joining the Resurrection Baptist Church, he was ordained as a Deacon and served as Vice Chairman of the Deacon Board for five years. In 1986, he began his studies at the Manna Bible Institute.

In March of 1987, he was called to pastor the Wynnefield Baptist Church in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia, where he served for four and a half years. In 1990, Reverend Cutter received an Associate Degree and Teacher's Certificate from the Manna Bible Institute.

In January of 1992, he was called to pastor the Cornerstone Baptist Church in North Philadelphia, where he was a dynamic servant of the Lord, teaching and preaching God's word. His MOTTO was "To love one another as Christ loves us". Also in 1992, he received a certification in Theology from the Eastern School of Christian Ministry of the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In June, 2010 because of health issues, Reverend Cutter retired from the Cornerstone Baptist Church after serving as Pastor for 18 years. During his Christian journey and Pastoral Tenure, he was a mentor and considered an adopted father in the ministry to many young ministers; always willing to share his wisdom and advice with them as well as encouraging them and inviting them to Cornerstone--giving them an opportunity to preach God's Word. He inspired many through his teachings of God's Word, his uplifting sermons and songs of Zion, his generosity, his love for people (especially the young people who he held very close and dear to his heart), and counseling those who were going through life's frustrations and situations. Reverend Cutter gave of himself untiringly in an unselfish manner.

He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Keystone Grand Lodge A.F.A.M., for the State of Pennsylvania. He served in several positions, including; Most Worshipful Master, Grand Lecturer and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Reverend Cutter was a member of the Clergy of Philadelphia, the Black Clergy, the Monday Ministers' Conference of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention and National Baptist Convention, the treasurer of Love for Children of Philadelphia, and an advisor for the Amachi Faith Base Program.

He enjoyed sports; including football, basketball, baseball and bowling. He also enjoyed singing, so he and his friends formed a singing group called "The Traveling Echoes". They sang in several churches in and out of Philadelphia and vicinity. Reverend Cutter was one of the lead singers of the group and was requested on several occasions to sing "Wade in the Water". Some of the songs sung by The Traveling Echoes included: "Can't Nobody do Me Like Jesus" and "Take the Lord with You".

Reverend Cutter loved his family and church members. He enjoyed family gatherings with his family and friends as well as church gatherings always "joking around". He had a very humble spirit and was very kind and generous, and as it was stated by many: "Cliff would give you the clothes off his back".

Reverend Cutter was a man of God who really loved the Lord. He was a Bold Soldier on the Battlefield for the Lord and he fought a good fight. One of his favorite scriptures was: Romans 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God".

Reverend Cutter was preceded in death by his brother, George W. Cutter; daughter-in-law, Ramona Cutter; and brother-in-law, James Eason.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving and devoted wife, Ernestine; two children, Gail and Clifford, Jr.; three sisters, Betty Tremble (Eddie) of Statesboro, GA; Josephine Gordon (Nathaniel) of Sylvania, GA; and Frankie Eason of Statesboro, GA; two grandchildren, Tarik and Makayla; two sisters-in-law, Gladys McNeill-Bell (Raymond) of Philadelphia and Mary Bryant of Savannah, GA; four brothers-in-law, Johnny Barnes (Oralee) of Philadelphia; Franklin Barnes, Walter Barnes, and Rev. Adam Barnes (Sophie) of Sylvania, GA; two aunts, Mary L. Bedford of Florida and Alice Cutter of Sylvania, GA; one goddaughter, Wanda Lynette Moore-Farlow (Braheem) of Middletown, Delaware; one godson, Michael Myers, Jr. of Philadelphia; one godbrother, Felton Davis of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and a host of nieces; nephews; cousins and friends.


Prayerfully submitted,
THE FAMILY