September 25, 1941 ~ January 2, 2026
At daybreak on January 2, 2026, Clyde William Fitzgerald went to be with the Lord, whom he loved and trusted at an early age.
Clyde was born September 25, 1941, the first of four children of Clyde W Fitzgerald, Sr, and Reba Arnold Fitzgerald. In 1951, he accepted Christ as his Savior during a revival meeting at Salem Baptist Church.
At the age of 30, Clyde was ordained to the ministry at Shady Grove Baptist Church, in Soddy, TN. In 1971, he accepted a call to Graysville First Baptist Church, pastoring there for over 20 years. While at Graysville, Clyde completed his religious studies, earning a Bachelor’s degree from Bryan College.
After leaving Graysville in 1993, he pastored several other Rhea County churches. He served at Bethel Baptist Church in Roddy for over seven years, before returning home to Salem Baptist Church for two years. After leaving Salem, Clyde pastored Yellow Creek Baptist Church for several years and then retired; he later answered Yellow Creek’s pastoral recall, and unretired. In total, he ministered at Yellow Creek for 14 years.
Following his second retirement, Clyde served as interim pastor at Clear Creek Baptist Church, ultimately answering their call as permanent minister. He continued in this role for several years, finally retiring from full-time ministry in 2024, but continuing to attend Clear Creek as a member.
In addition to his pastoral duties, Clyde actively served in the Tennessee Valley Baptist Association for many years. He was Moderator, and Chairman of the Missions Board until his health prevented continued service.
A bi-vocational pastor for much of his career, Clyde was very proud of his service as a hospice chaplain. For over a decade, he ministered to individuals and families across 10 surrounding counties. More fulfilling was his 50-year association with Coulter Garrison Funeral Home, and the 1,700+ funerals, and countless weddings, he conducted or helped conduct. The last funeral he preached was in August 2025.
Although not a Veteran, Clyde was a huge supporter of the military. He took great pride in delivering prayers at many local military ceremonies, including the annual Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony on the courthouse lawn. He volunteered as a bus driver for many years, carrying Rhea County veterans to medical appointments in Nashville. In 2023, he was named an honorary member of American Legion Brady-Williams Post 100, a tribute to his 50-plus years of service to Rhea County Veterans.
Clyde pursued the hobby of woodworking, becoming proficient at furniture making. Each grandchild grew up with a hand-made bedroom set, and his daughters were gifted dining room furniture crafted on his mother’s furniture pattern. In 1990, he constructed the casket for his six-year-old niece, Ellen Marie Haynes. Most recently, he built toy boxes for each of the great grandchildren. v2
Clyde is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joyce Collier Fitzgerald, and his two daughters, Julie Harris (Brock), and Janet O’Neal (Terry). He and Joyce are the proud grandparents of Jake Harris (Taylor) of Dallas, Texas; Cameron Harris (Kristen), of Prattville, Alabama; Alli Smith (Jack) of Chickamauga, Georgia; Caleb O’Neal of Atlanta, Georgia; and, Gracie O’Neal of Athens, Georgia. Great grandchildren include Kasley Smith, Ava Harris, and Bennett Harris.
Clyde’s surviving siblings include Arnold Fitzgerald (ViElla), Jim Fitzgerald (Dianna), and Becky Tucker.
Clyde’s surviving in laws include Buddy Collier (Judy), Ken Collier, Rhonda Haynes (David), and Joan Collier.
Clyde was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Burton and Aileen Collier, his brothers-in-law, Truman Tucker, and Tommy Collier, and his special niece, Ellen Marie Haynes.
The Family receives friends and family from 4:00 – 8:00 PM Saturday, January 3, at Coulter Garrison Funeral Home. Additional visitation occurs on Sunday, January 4 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at New Union Baptist Church. Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday at New Union, with Chaplain Jack Smith officiating.
It is fitting that Clyde’s funeral is held at New Union, as the house in which he was born, was built in the 1930s out of lumber from the original New Union Baptist Church building.
Burial follows in Shaver Cemetery, with Dr. David Haynes, and Rev. Barry Walls presiding over graveside services.
Pallbearers are Clyde’s sons-in-laws, grandsons, and grandsons-in-law. Honorary pallbearers are the pastors of Tennessee Valley Baptist Association