Jack Clary, 78, recently retired after 42 years of service as pastor of Evergreen Baptist Church, Vance.
His last sermon was June 26 but the church held a celebration service for him and his wife, Gail, on July 3 with special music, speakers and a fellowship lunch. He previously was pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, Knoxville, for five years.
“It was just a great service with a lot of folks I haven’t seen in a long time,” he said. “When you’ve been at a place this long it becomes more than a church, it becomes family. It’s really difficult to leave the people.”
He and Gail have two children and five grandchildren.
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