Mark Eads Clayton

Mark Eads Clayton, 59, of Fortson, Georgia, formerly of Knoxville, TN, passed away Thursday, November 4, 2021, at Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown Campus. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 9, 2021, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory 3874 Gentian Blvd., Columbus, GA 31907.

In addition to services in Columbus, GA, the family will receive friends in his hometown of Knoxville, TN on Sunday, November 14, 2021, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at Berry Highland Memorial 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Come enjoy refreshments and share memories as family and friends gather to celebrate Mark’s life.

Mark was born December 24, 1961, in Knoxville, TN. He grew up in East Tennessee alongside his siblings and was proud to call Knoxville home. Mark was a loving brother, father, husband, and friend. He very much enjoyed spending time with his immediate and extended family including those in West Tennessee. Mark graduated from Farragut High School in 1980 where he played football for the Admirals.

Since his father, Joe was a successful businessman in the car industry, Mark at an early age developed a passion for automobiles. He and his siblings enjoyed many memories alongside their father learning the business. Mark sold his first car at age 16, and he never looked back. In 1990, Mark followed his passion and co-founded Mercedes Benz of Columbus. He became one of the youngest car dealers in the Mercedes-Benz franchise at the time. Mark also served on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Auto Dealer Association.

Mark loved to give back to his community, specifically to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley and the American Heart Association, which he has supported for over 15 years. He also loved to play golf, especially with his late father and his daughter Jessica, who recently moved to Columbus to follow in Mark’s footsteps with the business. Mark was an avid fan of the University of Tennessee football team, the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta Braves. Although he was battling the effects of chemotherapy, Mark enthusiastically followed the post season to cheer on the Braves, and he was ecstatic to see them win the World Series.

Mark was preceded in death by his loving parents, B. Joe and Dorothy Sharrett Clayton; paternal grandparents, Cratus and Ruth Clayton; maternal grandparents, Earl and Ruth Sharrett. Survivors include his wife, Ashley Clayton; daughter, Jessica Clayton (Tania Richards); brother, Rick Clayton (Victoria); sister, Deborah Justus (Randy); and two nieces, Britney Justus and Christina Clayton Sullivan (Josh). Mark is also survived by his extended family and his work family, who loved him dearly.

In lieu of flowers for the services in Knoxville, TN, donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley; 967 Irwin Street Knoxville, TN 37917; https://bgctnv.org/donate-now/.