Clyde "Goad" Clemons

BAXTER CHAPEL-Clyde “Goad” Clemons passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the age of 95. He was born November 24, 1929 in Silver Point, TN. He was a humble and quiet man whose life was dedicated to caring for others. He leaves behind not only family who loved him dearly, but also many friends.

He graduated from Baxter Seminary and moved to Detroit, Michigan for work, as so many did in those days. He served in the U.S. Army, then returned to Silver Point and went into partnership with Mud Smith at the old Gulf station on Hwy 141. After the opening of I-40, he welcomed friends and strangers to his new station at exit 273 that he operated for most of his life. He worked long hours 7 days a week, taking off only on Christmas and New Year’s Day. He loved all things outside: growing tobacco, raising multiple gardens each year, planting orchards, and tending many head of cattle. He especially enjoyed feeding pizza and buns to his fish in the holler.

A member of Silver Point Baptist Church, he valued honor and integrity. He was no respecter of persons; he always gave to others and treated everyone the same. He felt blessed to have everything a man needed, and he shared the rest. He loved his neighbors and thought everyone was his friend.

Throughout his life, he let people know they mattered to him. In his last years, dozens of people helped give him quality of life. He especially loved the boys from the gas station, the Corner Grocery employees, the Rose Garden staff and customers, caring friends at his drug store and bank, the four ladies who cared for him, and special friend Ms. Jo Blanton. He loved his brother, sister, nieces, and nephews.

Nothing matched the love he had for his grandchildren; four boys and his favorite granddaughter he called The Princess. He was blessed to have been involved in their lives. Julie always wanted to go to Pa’s house because Pa just says, “Yes.” They have many stories to remember from the time when Pa changed clothes in the middle of the golf course because he got hot, or falling asleep at a stop sign while driving them home from school. He gave sound advice to the grandsons about courting. They were supposed to wear a white shirt and tie when they went to pick up their girl. As the boys grew older, he told them to remember, “It doesn’t matter which girl you pick, you will always wish you had picked the other one.”

He believed in education and encouraged his boys at the station to attend college, but said “If you can’t go to college, you educate yourself by reading everything non-fiction.” He kept all the local history in his head and was happy to share with anyone who listened. He took the stories with him, but he left the lessons and the legacy of love.

As he needed more assistance in life, he was blessed to have a nephew to help care for him until it became necessary for more help. He had four wonderful ladies to help him, and he was able to share his stories with them before he passed. His children, Judy and David, watched over him, served him faithfully and reflected his love.

Thank you for loving him, and thanks to all the friends who visited and chatted with him. He loved you all.

Survivors include his children, David Clemons, and Judy Riggsbee both of Silver Point; brother, Fred Clemons of Silver Point; sister, Daisy Davis of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, Tylr Clemons, Mason (Ashley) Clemons, Daniel (MeKenzie) Riggsbee, Nathan (Taylor) Riggsbee, Julie Riggsbee (Todd) Wisor; great grandchildren, Colton Riggsbee, Lilly Riggsbee, Quinn Riggsbee, Levi Riggsbee, Clyde Clemons, and Clover Clemons.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett Dillard and Cora Tavy Brown Clemons; his wife of 57 years, Lois Watson Clemons (d. February 12. 2015); son, Randal Clyde Clemons; sisters, Grace Wallace and Ruby Jones and brother, Alpha Clemons.

Graveside service and interment will be Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 11 A.M. at Crest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, March 26th from 5 to 8 PM at Baxter Chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Everyone will gather at the cemetery for the graveside service on Thursday with Bro. Tony Crow and Bro. Travis Little officiating.

His grandsons: Daniel, Tylr , Nathan, Mason and Todd Wisor, Chad Huddleston, and Jacob Taylor will serve as pallbearers.

Baxter Chapel of Hooper-Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements (931)858-2134. Share condolences and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com