Deacon Sexton

Clifton “Deacon” Sexton was a World War II veteran and Scott County attorney who served as Scott County Judge from 1958 to 1966.

See Also: Mayors of Scott County
Preceded By: Charles T. Marcum • Succeeded By: Verda Cope Jr.

Early Life

Born Aug. 27, 1925, Sexton was the son of Clifford Sexton and Ollie Phillips. He was one of the youngest of 10 children. The Sexton family lived at Paint Rock east of Oneida for several generations. Sexton was a fourth great-grandson of Revolutionary War veteran Timothy Sexton.

Sexton married Mary Sue Wright on Oct. 28, 1949. She was the daughter of former Oneida Mayor and Scott County Judge C.W. Wright. They had two children: Clifton “Sonny” Sexton and Edward Drew Sexton.

World War II service

Sexton served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, obtaining the rank of corporal. After the war, he joined American Legion Post #136 in Oneida.

Professional Life

Sexton graduated law school and served as an attorney. He was a member of the Tennessee Bar Association and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association. His son, Sonny, joined him in the practice of law in Oneida (and later became an assistant district attorney general for the 8th Judicial District of Tennessee).

Judge of Scott County

Sexton was elected Scott County Judge in 1958, replacing Rev. Charles T. Marcum. He was re-elected in 1962 and served a total of eight years before being replaced by Verda “Buddy” Cope.

Death

Sexton died July 19, 1993, at Scott County Hospital in Oneida, at the age of 67. He was buried at Sexton Memorial Cemetery in the Paint Rock community.

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