John Henry Clayborn

Bishop Clayborn was born in Spring Hill, Arkansas to Dave and Martha Clayborn.  He was the oldest of 9 children.  At the age of 9 he joined Spring Hill AME Church and in 1903 he was licensed to preach in the AME Church.  In 1902 he met and married Lula Mitchell and from this union there were 6 children.  He was a graduate of the Akadelphia Public School System and went on to attend Philander Smith College and Shorter College.   He was a public school teacher for 25 years to help support his family.  In addition, he was the owner of the Clayborn building which was located near downtown Little Rock and housed several small business and apartments.

John Henry Clayborn graduated with honors from Jackson Theological Seminary located in North Little rock, AK.  After he received is license to preach, he was assigned to the Bragg Circuit in 1905; ordained deacon, 1906; ordained Elder, 1908 ad was presiding Elder for 17 years beginning in 1914.  He was appointed the 64h Bishop on May 9, 1944. After returning from Africa, he was assigned to oversee churchs in part of the 2^nd, 12^th, ad 13^th Districts.  Some of the churches he pastored were: Stamps Church, St. and James AME Church.

After a lengthy illness, he died at his Little Rock, AR home.