Henry Clay Drinnon

Henry Clay Drinnon, age 76, 0f Newport, passed away at U. T. Hospital on Tuesday, October 10, 2006. he went home to be with Jesus. Well done, my good and faithful servant. Clay will always be remembered by his friendlessness, his loyalty, his courage, his endurance and to help everyone on their time of need. To know Clay was to love Clay. Clay came from Rogersville, TN to Newport with Townsend Electric to build electric line for Newport Electric System. Jim Franks, then manager of Newport Electric Systems hired Clay as a lineman in January 1952. He was a lineman for 25 years and operating superintendent for 18 ½ years. Clay served in the United States Army for two years, 1955-1957. He was a member of Newport Lodge #234, Knoxville Scottish Rite Bodies, and Kerbela Shriners, Knoxville, TN. Clay met his wife, Wilma when she was 17 and he was 27. They shared 46 wonderful years together. Their marriage was made in Heaven, and their wedding vows, they honor till death do us part. Clay was and avid sportsman, he loved to trout fish and he and his wife shared many years enjoying this sport together. He loved to hunt. He loved to garden and grow pretty flowers. He loved his life and lived each day to it fullest. Clay had been a patient for 12 weeks at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, in Knoxville. Through-out all of his suffering he always had a smile for everyone, and endured the pain to the end. He set an example for each of us to follow. Clay was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Susie Drinnon; his brother, Paul Tooty Drinnon; nieces, Rhonda Elkins and Sheila McNabb; and a nephew, Matt Drinnon. Clay is survived by his dedicated and loving wife, who stayed by his side for 46 years, Wilma Jean Kyker Drinnon; a special sister and brother-in-law, Joyce Ann Drinnon Price and Henry Price, Rogersville; a special niece, Kaye Ramsey, Newport; brothers and their wives, Johnnie and Oma Drinnion, Morristown, Billy and Boneda Drinnon, Mooresburg, Jackie Drinnon, Morristown, Danny and Goldie Drinnon , Rogersville; sister-in-law, Mae Drinnon, Rogersville; several nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Clay was a member of First United Methodist Church, Newport, TN, where he supervised the beautiful Christmas tree for fifteen years. Masonic services will be held 7:45 p.m. followed by the funeral services at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 12, 2006 at the First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Frederick Long officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-7:45 pm Thursday prior to the services at the First United Methodist Church. The Entombment will be 11:00 am Friday, October 13, 2006 in Resthaven Memorial Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be John Williams, Larry Smith, Dale Ottinger, Jack Costner, Darrell Hall and Kevin Woods; honorary pallbearers, other lineman, groundsmen and other employees. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 212 Washington Ave., Newport, TN 37821, Shriners Crippled Children's Hospital, or to your favorite charity.

Henry Clay Drinnon

June 1, 1930 - October 10, 2006