Mary Will Clayton

Oct. 04, 2013 @ 05:05 PM

Mary Clayton.jpg Mary Clayton

Ethel Moore.jpg Ethel Moore DURHAM Mary Will Harris Clayton DURHAM - Mary Will Harris Clayton was born November 23, 1921 in Granville County (Stem) North Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Euna Veazey Harris Carrington and William Thomas Harris. Surviving are her husband of 68 years, John Henry Clayton; and her two children, Jack Oscar Clayton (Mary) and Mary Jill Clayton Moore (Mark). She enjoyed each of her five grandsons, Zach, John, Will, Garrett, and Carson. Mary was grateful for their involvement in scouting, with the oldest three achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Also surviving is one step brother, J.L. Carrington, of Chocowinity, NC.  Mary grew up in the Bahama Community and attended Mangum High School.  She graduated from UNC-G (Women's College) with a B.S. degree in Home Economics. She taught in the Wilson County Schools and later served as Dietitian at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia. Mary met the love of her life in first grade at Stem Elementary School. In 1945, she traveled across the country to marry John H. Clayton in San Francisco. At the conclusion of World War II, they came to Durham to make their home. In 1946, they joined First Baptist Church, which has been a blessing to them through the years. During Training Union every Sunday evening, they met with other young couples who became close friends. She and John have been active in teaching Sunday school to many different age groups including the Young Married Class. "Let's Celebrate America", a patriotic service, was started by Mary and John and continued for over 20 years at their church in Durham. She also served as Sunday School director and Interim Minister of Education for three years. Mary and John initiated the Moravian Love Feast, which was held each Christmas at First Baptist for 25 years. She also was instrumental in the Homebound Ministry, visiting and caring for others.  She was one of the founding and a longstanding member of the Durham-Orange Home Economics Group. She spent much of her life doing the things she loved, which were being a homemaker, a mother and a grandmother. Friends may visit from 4 – 6 p.m., Saturday, October 5, 2013 at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 W. Main Street, Durham, NC 27701. The funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church at 414 Cleveland Street in Durham at 2 p.m., Sunday, October 6, 2013. Burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery. Memorials in her honor can be made to: Baptist Children's Homes of NC, PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC  27360. The Clayton family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham. On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries. http://www.heraldsun.com/obituaries/x249848871/October-5-2013