Earnest Beryl “Porter” Clawson, 71, of the Dye Leaf Community of Butler, Tenn., went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, from the Johnson City Medical Center. Beryl was born in Carter County to the late McKinley and Maude Dellinger Clawson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Bill Clawson, Paul Clawson, Homer Clawson and McKinley Clawson, and five sisters, Ann Gentry, Molly Whaley, Jeannie Clawson, Bonnie Retha Clawson and Nellie Sue Clawson.
Beryl was above all a loving husband, father and grandfather. He had worked for Tri-City Plating of Elizabethton for more than 20 years. Beryl was a member of Elk Mills Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and a Sunday School teacher. He loved his church family and the Southern Restaurant and its staff.
Beryl also loved to work in his garden, wood working and cooking, but most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving and devoted wife of 51 years, Geneva Retha Lunceford Clawson, of the home; his daughter, Angela Dugger and husband Billy, of Butler; two sons, Johnny Clawson and wife Jennifer, of Butler, and Jerry Clawson and wife Rebekah, of Elk Park, N.C.; his granddaughter, Cassie Dugger, of the home; two grandsons, John Henry Clawson, of Butler, and another special grandson; two brothers, Delbert Clawson, of Mountain City, and Roscoe Clawson and wife Sandy, of Butler; and one sister, Betty Dugger and husband Terry, of Butler. Beryl is also survived by several step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and countless friends and neighbors that will miss him greatly.
A service to celebrate and honor the life of Earnest Beryl “Porter” Clawson will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday, October 27, in the Chapel of Peace of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Toby Rainbolt, Rev. Quincy Norris and Rev. Buster Mullins officiating. Music will be provided by Lowell and Glenda Trivette. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, prior to the service, or at the residence at other times. The graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 28, in the Clawson Cemetery, Dye Leaf Road, Butler, Tenn. Active pallbearers will be Aaron Guyn, Dakota Guy, Richard Clawson, Kenny Clawson, Kay Brown, Greg Brown, Travis Harris and Kenneth Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be the employees and owners of Tri-City Plating and the employees of R&D Finishing. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 1:50 p.m. Saturday. The family would like to especially thank Dr. Ashley Patton, Margie and all the doctors and staff that helped Beryl through his illness. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
The Clawson family is being assisted by Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.