Musical Prelude.............................................................................................Luther Chambers Scripture Reading.......................................................................................................Minister Old Testament & New Testament Prayer of Comfort.......................................................................................................Minister Opening Selection..........................................................................Gethsemane Music Ministry Reflections......................................................................................................Fredrick Clayton Charlene Savage Silent Reading of the Obituary Photo Montage Acknowledgements...........................................................................................Linda P. Travis Musical Selection...........................................................................Gethsemane Music Ministry Eulogy..............................................................................................Rev. Dr. Dwight Riddick Recessional....................................................................................Clergy, Family, and Friends
With her assertiveness, determination, and tenacity, she worked her way up the career ladder and later became an office manager in her department. With life happening as it sometimes will, Mary became a single parent, rearing her children and providing for them with the help of Almighty God as the sole bread winner. She retired from the New York City Department of Social Services after twenty-five years of stellar service.
Deaconess Mary Elizabeth Clayton quietly slipped way in her
sleep on January 2, 2021 while at her home. She was born May 24, 1934 in Lake Iamonia in Leon County Florida to the late Betty Williams. Mary grew up in Tallahassee, Florida where she was educated in the Tallahassee School System. Shortly after, she met and married Fred Clayton, from that union were born five girls and two boys. The young couple relocated from Tallahassee and made their home in Queens, New York. Mary was trained as an Office Assistant and was employed by the New York City Department of Social Services.
Mary was baptized at an early age in Tallahassee Florida. When she relocated to New York, she became a member of the Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of the Reverend Solomon Roberts. She served in many capacities at “Faith” to include, the Trustee Ministry, President of the Pastor’s Aid Society, Sunday School Teacher and member of the Senior Choir. Deaconess Clayton was a true Church Woman who gave of herself unselfishly to the work of the Kingdom of God. At “Faith” the children in her Sunday School Class referred to her as “Gangster Grandma,” because of her style and the black driving gloves that she wore. Upon moving to Newport
News, VA, to be closer to her children, Sister Clayton joined the Gethsemane Baptist Church. She immediately found her place. She was assigned to send birthday and condolence cards to the bereaved. She was soon consecrated as a new Deaconess and immediately went to work making home visits and getting to personally know about the lives of the people assigned to her. Prior to her passing, she was honored with Emeritus status and continued to attend regular worship services, in spite of her failing health. She became Mom and Grandma to many leaders and members of the congregation for which she was loved, revered, and respected. Deaconess Clayton was loving, caring and yet straight forward. She was a serious-minded Christian Woman who was a no-nonsense person. Her infectious love and gentile Holy Kiss made her an endearing women who was loved by so many. She was always generous, giving of her time, talents, resources, to her family and others who were in need. She was very family oriented. She loved her children, grands and great-grands and adopted several others as her own to
include Pastor Riddick and his family, whom she called her son. She was a model Christian Woman and Church Leader, always positive and ready to serve when called upon. She never used her age or frailty as an excuse. She served her Lord until the very end. There was nothing more that she wanted, than at last to hear her Savior’s voice saying “Well Done, Thou Good and Faithful Servant.” She was a Virtuous woman, and her children called her “blessed…She shall be praised in the Gates.” She leaves to celebrate her life and mourn her lost, Children, Betty Clayton, Chicago, Illinois, Alfreda Turner, Newport News, Virginia, Fredrick Clayton, Hampton, Virginia, Robert Clayton, Vickie Haynes Burks, Priscilla Clayton, and Sonya Clayton, Newport News, Virginia. Eight Grandchildren, April Robinson, Dowan Clayton, Toni Brock, Richard Clayton, Kendra Haynes and Ryan Haynes, Jonathan Washington and Kenya Garner. Eleven Great-grands, five great, great grandchildren, host of other relative, friends and a wonderful church family.
If Roses Grow in Heaven If roses grow in heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for me, Place them in my Mother’s arms and tell her they’re from me. Tell her I love her and miss her, and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile. Because remembering her is easy, I do it every day, but there’s an ache within my heart that will never go away. By Dolores M. Garcia
Family and Friends
Family and Friends
The family of the late Mary Clayton would like to extend their gratitude for all acts of kindness shown during their time of bereavement. Please keep them in prayer in the days to come.
An Angel
An angel lived among us, A gift from God above. She showered us with kindness And shared with us her love. She cherished every moment With the man who was her life; Walking hand in hand together, Facing life with all its strife. She loved her children dearly, Each one a different way, Nestled close within her heart. Though, now, she’s far away. She’s gone to live with Jesus. But, she’s here with us, today, Smiling down on every one of us, And telling us she’s O.K. ~Author Unknown