Church dedicates playground in memory of Eddie Clary

Cherokee Avenue Baptist Church children and adults checked out a new playground area Wednesday evening. The Clary family purchased the playground equipment in memory of Eddie Clary. Lynn Clary said she knows her late husband, Eddie, was smiling in heaven Wednesday watching children enjoy a new playground outside his church home.

Cherokee Avenue Baptist Church dedicated the playground in memory of Eddie Clary, who died unexpectedly three years ago. His family decided this spring to purchase new playground equipment, including a see-saw, jungle gym, monkey bars and a slide.

Church members installed the equipment in a fenced area next to the Cherokee Avenue Baptist Church Family Life Center. The church plans to make the playground available to neighborhood children who live behind the church.

"Eddie absolutely loved children and the elderly," Lynn Clary said. "He enjoyed playing the role of Santa Claus for several years and often visited the Peachtree Centre to be with the residents at Christmas. We thought a new playground would be a perfect way to remember him."

The Clary family started work on the project this spring. Playground equipment was carefully selected to provide appropriate play items for children of all ages.

"The playground is a safe haven for our children in the church and the community," Cherokee Avenue Baptist Pastor Clyde Thomas said. "We are grateful to the Clary family for their donation to our church. We hope the kids in the church and neighborhood will be able to enjoy the playground for many years."