Reverend Cleveland Richard Vanderhorst, the eldest child of the late Julian Richard Vanderhorst and Mary Bell Jones Vanderhorst, was born June 10, 1923, in the North Santee section of Georgetown, SC.  On the evening of February 8, 2018, God called home His good and faithful servant. His devotion to his family and firm belief in Christ, supported him and ultimately gave him peace.

Reverend Vanderhorst was educated in Georgetown County and continued his thrust for learning at Whitmore Trade School in Conway, SC, where he became a certified brick mason. On September 14, 1947, he married the former Emma Julia Gillyard. Through this union, they were blessed with a devoted daughter, Mary Vanderhorst Wright. Cleveland was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years.

Cleveland entered the United States Army in 1943, and served in World War Il. He traveled to Normandy, Northern France and Central Europe. He received several victory medals and was discharged with Honor. After serving his country, he was employed with the Charleston Naval Shipyard, Charleston, SC, from where he retired.

"The Horst", as he was affectionately known, was a man of God, a teacher, preacher and visionary. He was called into the ministry and received his first charge in 1961 at Nazareth AME (Sutton). In his 43 years as a pastor, he had only five charges. After leaving Nazareth, he pastored: Mt. Lebanon AME (Andrews, SC), Bethel AME & Friendship/St.Mary AME (Pee Dee Circuit), St. Mark AME (Bloomingvale) and Mt. Ararat AME churches.

He retired from Mt. Ararat in 2004, and returned to his home church Singleton Chapel AME Church (North Santee), Georgetown, SC.

Reverend Vanderhorst loved to sing, shout and play the guitar. He also formed the group "The Friendly Gospel Chorus". He was Past Master of South Santee Masonic Lodge #2, and Past Patron of Guiding Light Chapter #268. He was affiliated with numerous civic organizations and committees that involved helping others.

To cherish precious memories, he leaves: his daughter, Mary V. Wright, Georgetown, SC; grandchildren: Marla L. Wright Jackson (Nathaniel), Houston, TX, Melisse L. Wright-Doiley (Marcus), Georgetown, SC, Matthew L. Wright, III (Crystal), Atlanta, GA, and Megan L. Wright, Houston, TX; great grandchildren: Jaia, Marcus Jr., Maddox and Sacario; sister-in-law, Susan Randolph (Lonnie); brothers-in-law, Charles Smith, Rev. John Henry Gillyard, and Rev. James Taylor; and a host of nieces, nephews. grandnieces, grand nephews, other relatives and friends.