By Ralphine Major

I have known only a few people who have lived to reach the century mark.  January 12, 2022, marks the 100th for Clayton Sharp, longtime resident of the Gibbs Community in Corryton, Tennessee!

Clayton’s impact in the community and beyond has been nothing short of incredible.  Along with his late wife, Betty Loy Sharp, he did volunteer work for many years and was active in the Gibbs Ruritan Club.  The WWII veteran also demonstrated blacksmithing at the Museum of Appalachia.    On Sunday, January 16, 2022, at 12:30 p.m., Clayton’s family, including sons Rancy (Debbie), Monty, and four grandsons, will be hosting a special time for Clayton to celebrate with family and friends at Clapps Chapel United Methodist Church, where he has served so faithfully over the years and where he still attends.  What an opportunity to celebrate this milestone with a 100-year-old American hero!  I imagine some of those Boy Scouts—now adults—will come to honor this great man who helped start their scout program so many years ago.  Happy 100th Birthday, Clayton!  God bless you!

Clayton once told me that the 23rd Psalm is his favorite scripture.

Be encouraged by these inspiring words from the King James Version, verses 1-6:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”