Bishop Clayton H. Privett, finished his race here on earth on Monday, March 30, 2026. He is now in the presence of the God, who he preached about for over 46 years. He was an ordained bishop in the Church of God, Cleveland, TN.
He was born, April 22, 1940, on Mowbray Mtn. in Daisy, TN. He was the 6th child of Thomas Henry & Della Mae Privett.
Clayton’s love of God, family & country was clear by the life he lived. He met the love of his life, Charlotte Underwood Privett, when they were in the 8th grade and he told her he was going to marry her someday, to which she replied, “we’ll see”. He loved baseball and played during his early years. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1956. In 1959, he came home on leave and made good on his promise, and married Charlotte. Clayton & Charlotte served together in ministry for over 46 years. They were married for 60 years before she passed in 2019. He was a great husband and caregiver during Charlotte’s 5-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Clayton loved meeting people and making friends wherever he traveled. He enjoyed the game of golf and often shared Jesus with those he met while playing. He was a great storyteller. Clayton made people laugh when he told of his many adventures, and there were many. He loved his parents and siblings, and the times they shared at family gatherings.
He and Charlotte answered the call to pastor the Maple Hollow Church of God (which he renamed Sequoyah Church of God) in 1969. He later served as senior pastor of the East Lake Church of God, Chattanooga, TN, the Cathedral of the Valley, Glendale, Az., Williamsburg Church of God, Williamsburg, PA, Soddy Church of God, Soddy Daisy, TN, Dyersburg Church of God, Dyersburg, TN & Whitwell Church of God, Whitwell, TN. God blessed his ministry with many souls won to the kingdom of God.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte Underwood Privett, infant son, Jeffery Dwight Privett, parents, Thomas H. & Della Privett, brother, Thomas Edward Privett, sisters, Ruby Privett, Maude Millsaps, & Catherine “Mirt” Clemons.
Survivors are daughter, Jennifer “Ginger” Teppenpaw (Bill) Hixson, TN, daughter, Julia Youngblood, (Mike) Young Harris, GA, son, Joel Daniel “Dan” (Angela) Privett, Hixson, TN, son, Jonathan David (Michele) Privett, Ringgold, Ga. Grandchildren, Tiffany (Jeff) Miller, Joshua (Katie) Curtis, Jordan (Andrew) Baysore, Cassandra “Cassie” (Shane) John, Victoria (Andrew) Barrett, Luke (Rachel) & Elijah (Hope) Privett, Cecelia “Cissie” (Sam) Hixon, & Will Teppenpaw. Great-grandchildren, Caleb, Christian, & Clayton Miller, Henry & Evelyn Curtis, Charlotte & Graham Barrett, Audrey & Owen Privett, Madison & Ryleigh Baysore, Oliver John, Calloway Privett & Hailey Hixon, brothers, Hayden Privett, Lloyd (Gladys) Privett, Bobby (Darlene) Privett, sisters, Pauline Dennis, Sylvia Lovelady, Jessie Dobbs, Karen (Wesley) Duckett, & Terri Scott, several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at The Ministry Center, 2929 Hamill Road, Hixson, TN 37343 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 pm., and Friday, April 3, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. with funeral services to follow at 1:00 p.m., with Bishop Phil Harris and Bishop Jimmie Talley officiating. Interment will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens, Hixson, TN, with Bishop Carl Hart presiding.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Bridge of Ooltewah, Home Helpers of Cleveland & Gentiva Hospice for the care they provided for Clayton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Clayton’s name to Charlotte’s Hands of Hope at 1345 Dreamcatcher Way, Hixson, TN 37343 or www.charlotteshandsofhope.com
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com
The arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
