Jim joined the staff of Dixie Lee Baptist Church as Senior Pastor, in March, 1999,
after serving nine years as pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, in Knoxville. He was
born in 1951 in Jasper, Alabama, where he graduated from Walker High School. He received
an Associate in Science degree from Walker College, a Bachelor of Science degree
from Auburn University, a Master of Practical Divinity degree from Trinity Theological
Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Newburgh Theological Seminary. Jim
accepted the call to preach at age 18, and was ordained by the Westside Baptist Church,
Jasper, Alabama, in 1971. In forty years of ministry, he has pastored churches in
Alabama and Tennessee. He enjoys yard work, aerobic walking, and spending time with
his grandchildren. His wife, Anita, was born in Hamilton, Alabama. She received her
Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education from Carson Newman College, in Jefferson
City, Tennessee, and her Education Specialist Degree from Tennessee Tech University.
She teaches Kindergarten at Highland Park Elementary, in Lenoir City. The Claytons
have three sons and ten grandchildren.
