Reverend Luther Clayton was born March 8, 1920 in Many, Louisiana to Rev. Lemmie & Rebecca Clayton. He arrived in Arizona April 14, 1946. He and his family joined the Springhill Baptist Church and he became a sawmill worker and pulpwood truck owner, running his own business. In May 1950 Rev Lemmie Clayton shepherded a small flock in Holbrook, Arizona, Rev. Luther Clayton took over the church in Holbrook when Rev. Gray Resigned. Under Rev. Luther Clayton the church was officially named St. John Baptist Church from "Rehobath", which meant "Room for All." Since 1948 Rev. Clayton has been instrumental in a number of organizations which benefited the church and the people. He organized three new churches in Northern Arizona, two in Holbrook and on May 24, 1959, Galilee Baptist Church was organized in Williams, Arizona, Rev. James T. McElroy preached the sermon. On June 4, 1959, the members gave Rev. Clayton $32.50 for the down payment on the church lot. The Church borrowed $600 from the Paradise Baptist State Convention to start building the church in 1961. The Church paid the money back at $50.00 every quarterly board meeting. Rev. Clayton was an organizer of the Northern Baptist District Association, which included six churches. He has served as "Moderator: in this association; was president of the Sunday School and BTU Congress; he was nominated for Flagstaffs "Sun" citizen of the year in 1968. He even ran for a city council seat in Flagstaff. He was a member of the Mason for over 30 years. He has helped many families, all over the state, since 1948, supported the Paradise State Congress of Christian Education; was president of the Paradise Baptist State Convention of Arizona, Inc. In 1996 he retired form the Coconino County Community Service department. He also was vice-president of the NAACP here in Flagstaff and served on numerous "Boards" in our community projects.

His wife and church of 50 years will surely miss him. He leaves behind 12 Children and 10 step-Children. Maxine Warren of Shreveport, LA, Luther Mae Golston of Albuquerque, NM, Gerlene & Donald Thompson of Albuquerque, NM, Rebecca & Randle Carter of Carson, CA, Mamie Lee and Paul Brown of Carson, California, Tilli Ann Tilford of San Diego, CA, Leon Clayton of Albuquerque, NM, Gilbert Clayton of Albuquerque , NM, Cemie & Terilyn Clayton of Flagstaff, AZ, Tommy Burn Clayton of Phoenix, AZ and Tyron Daughtery of Las Vegas, NV; He also leaves behind ten step-children, Ester & Hank Brown of Phoenix, AZ, Nell and Edgar Brown of Williams, AZ, Lester Tisino of Pineville, LA, Jesse Tisino of Flagstaff, AZ, Harold Jr. Hatcher of East Liverpool, OH, Sandra Hatcher of Phoenix, AZ, Billy & Karen Hatcher of Cincinnati, OH, Johnny Hatcher of Williams, AZ, Samuel Hatcher of Laveen, AZ and Kimberly Bailey of Phoenix, AZ. He also leaves 33 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren on the Clayton side. A host of grandchildren and great grandchildren from our First Lady Gracie Clayton side, as well as a host of relatives and Friends.