Clyde Franklin Shankle, 85, of Dunlap, Tennessee, died on Friday, November 20, 2015.
He was born on May 1, 1930 in North Carolina to Sylvester and Nannie Shankle, who preceded him in death. The oldest of three children – He was also preceded in death by a brother, Burton. In October 1950 Clyde married Kathleen Orvin, his lifelong love, companion, and partner in ministry for 60 years, four months, and five days. She entered her eternal rest February 18, 2011.
Clyde was a proud Korean War veteran serving as an Army medic. After serving military stent, he felt God's call to the ministry. He enrolled at Lee College graduating with a degree in Bible Education. Soon after in 1957, Clyde, and Kathleen and by now young daughter Kathy would except their pastorate at Moubray Church of God in Hamilton County. After 10 years at Moubray, the family, which now included younger daughter Cynthia, moved to Memphis to pastor Park Avenue Church of God. In 1969 the Shankle family, were on the move again to upper East Tennessee. Rev. Shankle was called to pastor the Roane Street Church of God in Elizabethton, TN. The Shankle final pastoral move was to the Dunlap Church of God in January 1985. Clyde supposedly retired from the pastoral ministry in the fall of 1993. However, a short while later, the Shankles were needed again – this time in Palmer, Tn.
Clyde and Kathleen called Dunlap home for almost 30 years and gained a host of friends throughout the beautiful Sequatchie Valley. Clyde called it “God's Country”. Rev. Shankle was designated Pastor Emeritus of the Dunlap Church of God. Clyde and Kathleen were very talented singers and musicians playing accordion, guitar, and harmonica. One of the trills of his senior years was being invited Gary Epperson to join him in a harmonica duet. They played a gospel medley with The Singing Echoes during their annual Easter event at Garden Plaza in Cleveland. Clyde also won third place in a regional talent contest this year while a resident of the Lantern in Collegedale. Clyde had an extensive teaching and administrative career in education. He served as principle of Lone Oak Elementary in the 1950's and 1960's. He returned to the classroom in Sequatchie County in 1993 for five years. He continued in the role of substitute teacher for ten years until 2008.
He had a life-long friend in ministry – Dr. Bill Sheeks. They became friends as teenagers in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Special friends in Dunlap include Wayne and Sandy Hatfield, Jane and Tim Griswold, Sidney and Keith Davis. Clyde loved everyone and sought to share God's love everyday. A special thanks from the family goes to Garden Plaza of Cleveland, The Latern of Collegedale and Bradley Healthcare of Cleveland.
Family survivors include two daughters – Dr. Kathy Shankle-Rowan (Earl) and Cynthia Bristol Johnson (Roger) all of Cleveland. Grandchildren, Audra Huffmeister (Denzel) of Palmetto, Georgia and Aaron Bristol (Brittney) of Cleveland. There are four great-grandchildren, a sister, Joann Hardin and brother-in-law, Allen Orvin, both of North Carolina.
A Celebration of Life will be at the Dunlap Church of God on Tuesday, Nov. 24, with Pastor Brandon Gates officiating at 5 p.m. CST.
The family will receive friends from 3-5 p.m. CST.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga or Gideons International.
Online condolences can be made at www.reedfamilyfh.com.
Arrangements are by Standefer-Reed Funeral Home, 50 May Road, Dunlap.