Clarence Lowe

Clarence “Denny” Lowe was a Scott County educator and businessman who served as county executive from 1990 to 1998.

See Also: Mayors of Scott County
Preceded By: Dwight Murphy • Succeeded By: Dwight Murphy

Early Life

Born in Campbell County, Tenn. on Dec. 18, 1950, Lowe was the son of Enmon Lowe and Princess Buttram. He was descended from the Buttram family at New River that included Scott County’s second sheriff, Bailey Buttram. (His third great-grandfather, James Buttram, was Bailey Buttram’s bother.)

Lowe married Martha Terry. He had five children: daughters Bridgett, Gabe and Michelle, and sons Nate and Jake.

Professional Life

Lowe was an educator and coach in the Scott County School System. He also owned Lowe’s Truss Co. in Oneida.

Scott County Executive

Lowe was elected Scott County Executive in 1990, replacing Dwight Murphy. He was re-elected in 1994 and served two terms before leaving office in 1998 after losing a second re-election bid to Murphy.

Lowe was the last county executive before the title changed by state statute to county mayor in the early 2000s.

Death

Lowe died of cancer at his home in Helenwood on Oct. 16, 2012, at the age of 61. A funeral service was conducted two days later at Four Oaks Funeral Home in Huntsville with Chuck Jeffers, Ted Williams and Les Winningham officiating. He was buried at a private family cemetery.

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