Obituary for Rev. Jerry Gaylord Sexton
Reverend Jerry Gaylord Sexton (71) of Maynardville, TN, passed away after a long illness on
February 23, 2023. Jerry was born October 12, 1951, and grew up among friends and family in
what he referred to as Kettle Hollow. He was a talented builder, and many beautiful homes in the area were built by him. He learned early how to complete every step of his craft from the blueprints to the final polish. Many late nights were spent drawing or figuring on houses. He enjoyed recycling material from old barns and finding stone in rivers to add historical meaning to his structures.
At age 28 he was introduced to God through his Uncle Luke’s funeral and thereafter shared his
testimony and a calling to preach the gospel. He pastored two churches in the area and
assisted with numerous revivals, twenty-eight in one year alone.
He loved nature and hunting and would spend hours working outdoors and watching the wildlife
in his backyard. People close to him will remember him best for his laughter and genuinely caring heart. He made friends wherever he went.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Brenda Sexton, children, Toni Renee Sexton Brown (Timothy),
Jerry Christopher Sexton (Kayla), Luci Gina Sexton Hale (John), step-daughter, Jennifer Brake
(Jeremy), grandchildren Autumn Sexton Monroe, Staff Sergeant Dylan Christopher Sexton,
Brycen Lee Brown, Karmen Grace Godfrey, Aubree Leighann Sexton, Konnor Gabriel Sexton,
Levi Forrest Hale, and bonus grandchildren Blake, Shayla, Kristen, Brayden, and Zoey.
He had two great-grandchildren Coltin and Alessandra and a sister, Betty Cox.
He was preceded in death by his son, Joshua Dustin Sexton and his parents, Mary Lucille Haynes Sexton and Claude (Pete) Sexton and brother, Jack, and sister, Marie.
Many nieces and nephews and cousins were dear to him also.
Jerry’s family will host a reception of friends at Cooke-Campbell Mortuary on Sunday, February
26, 2023, from 4:00-6:00 pm followed by a service, Rev. Gabril Haynes officiating. Burial will be at Tolliver’s Cemetery on Monday, February 27th at 11:00 a.m. Pallbearers: Bill Sexton, Jackie Jenkins, Billy Joe Henderson, Larry Henderson, Terry Hensley, Blake Sexton. Honorary Pallbearers: Dylan Sexton, Brycen Brown.
Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.
February 23, 2023. Jerry was born October 12, 1951, and grew up among friends and family in
what he referred to as Kettle Hollow. He was a talented builder, and many beautiful homes in the area were built by him. He learned early how to complete every step of his craft from the blueprints to the final polish. Many late nights were spent drawing or figuring on houses. He enjoyed recycling material from old barns and finding stone in rivers to add historical meaning to his structures.
At age 28 he was introduced to God through his Uncle Luke’s funeral and thereafter shared his
testimony and a calling to preach the gospel. He pastored two churches in the area and
assisted with numerous revivals, twenty-eight in one year alone.
He loved nature and hunting and would spend hours working outdoors and watching the wildlife
in his backyard. People close to him will remember him best for his laughter and genuinely caring heart. He made friends wherever he went.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Brenda Sexton, children, Toni Renee Sexton Brown (Timothy),
Jerry Christopher Sexton (Kayla), Luci Gina Sexton Hale (John), step-daughter, Jennifer Brake
(Jeremy), grandchildren Autumn Sexton Monroe, Staff Sergeant Dylan Christopher Sexton,
Brycen Lee Brown, Karmen Grace Godfrey, Aubree Leighann Sexton, Konnor Gabriel Sexton,
Levi Forrest Hale, and bonus grandchildren Blake, Shayla, Kristen, Brayden, and Zoey.
He had two great-grandchildren Coltin and Alessandra and a sister, Betty Cox.
He was preceded in death by his son, Joshua Dustin Sexton and his parents, Mary Lucille Haynes Sexton and Claude (Pete) Sexton and brother, Jack, and sister, Marie.
Many nieces and nephews and cousins were dear to him also.
Jerry’s family will host a reception of friends at Cooke-Campbell Mortuary on Sunday, February
26, 2023, from 4:00-6:00 pm followed by a service, Rev. Gabril Haynes officiating. Burial will be at Tolliver’s Cemetery on Monday, February 27th at 11:00 a.m. Pallbearers: Bill Sexton, Jackie Jenkins, Billy Joe Henderson, Larry Henderson, Terry Hensley, Blake Sexton. Honorary Pallbearers: Dylan Sexton, Brycen Brown.
Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.