Clarence Shields was born June 29, 1947 in Redwater, Texas. He was the fourth child born to the late Herthia and Irene Crawford Shields. He received his educational background through the Macedonia School in Texarkana, TX and Redwater ISD in Redwater, TX. Growing up he attended Martin Chapel C.M.E., Redwater, later baptized at Maud First Baptist and became a member there up until these last seven years where he and his family faithfully attended the  Maud United Methodist Church in Maud and North Avenue United Methodist Church in Pittsburg, TX.