Clyde Bradley Nokes, age 91, of the Short Mountain Community passed away Tuesday afternoon, November 3, 2020 at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro.
He was a member of the Gassaway Church of Christ and a TV repairman. Clyde Nokes was born on December 13th 1928 to the Gassaway community. He began his music career at age 5 when his parents bought him a guitar from Sears and Roebuck for $5.00. Two ladies took an interest in him and taught him some cords and he started from there to go on and perform for over 8 decades. He and his brother Rayburn played together for many years He formed close relationships with local musicians and even formed a band named The Short Mountain Boys and Girls. He played music throughout the communities of Gassaway, Smithville, Woodbury, and many others. He played with countless Grand Ole Opry stars to include Benny Martin, Michael Clevland, Curly Fox, Buddy Spiker, Ernie Ashford, Johnny and Bob Campbell, Billy Womack, Speedy Grisom, Harry Smith, Benny Williams, Earnest and Dean Rubley, Randall Smith, Homer Hodge, George Asbury, Rayburn Simmons, Mitchell Fuston, Ronny Loftis, Jerry Lee Cantrell and boys, and many many more. He was a frequent performer at the Gassaway Homecoming and Smithville Jamboree. He played on the local record called the Smithville Jail. He even played a role in a movie called Nashville 99. On February 18th 2016 he was honored by the Governor and state of Tennessee, and Cannon County Executive Mike Gannon proclaimed March 18th as “Clyde Nokes Day”. Clyde married Maxine Hale on April 23, 1949 in Mississippi. They had 4 wonderful sons, Gary, Nick, Bill, and Jeff. He and the boys played music together every time they were together whether it be Christmas, Thanksgiving, and even birthdays. Clyde was a business owner of his own radio and TV repair shop. He worked at colonial bread baking in Nashville, he and his dad, Shelah, owned at the general store in Sycamore, and he worked with his mom and dad at Nokes’ General Story in Liberty TN. Clyde was respected and loved by many in all communities that he was a part of. Everybody knew of the famous Clyde Nokes from Short Mountain TN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Shelah and Gertrude Derting Nokes; brother, Rayburn Nokes and sister, Dorothy Bryant.
He is survived by four sons, Gerry (Rita) Nokes of Short Mountain, Nicholas (Patsy) Nokes of Liberty, Billy (Kathy) Nokes of Short Mountain and Jeffery (Maureen) Nokes of Short Mountain; eight grandchildren, Tonya (Bill) Melton, Stephanie (Tommy) Alexander, Nicholas (Susan) Nokes, Jr., Wesley Nokes, Natasha (James) Anderson, Sarah (Derrick) Arnold, Hannah Nokes and fiance Mike Hartman, Jeffery (Shannon) Nokes, II; 13 great-grandchildren, Jacob Melton, Erica (Josh) Shores, Jarrett Melton, Rachel Alexander, Luke Alexander, Matthew Nokes, Lucas Nokes, Lakelynn Anderson, Noah Anderson, Koen Bradley Nokes, Chloe Nokes, Anna Nokes, and Miles Nokes; 2 great-great-grandchildren, Allie Melton and Chloe Melton; one sister, Oleta Bullard of Murfreesboro; special nephew, Charles Nokes of Short Mountain and special friends, Gloria Steward and Jesteen Brown.
Graveside service and interment was held Saturday, November 7, 2020 at Melton Cemetery at Short Mountain with Gary Hancock officiating.
Pallbearers included Jeffery Nokes, II, Wesley Nokes, Russell Taylor, Nick Nokes, Luke Alexander, and Jacob Melton. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Jarrett Melton, Tommy Alexander and Bill Melton.
The family asks that donations be made to the Gassaway Community Center in memory of Clyde.
DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Smithville, was in charge of the arrangements.
Smithville Review
(Smithville, Tenn.)
Nov. 11, 2020
