Clara Mae Clayton

Clara M. Clayton passed away peacefully to be with her husband James (Jim) and our Heavenly Father on August 24, 2016, at Florida Presbyterian Homes in Lakeland, Florida. Clara was born in Washington, PA, to J. Boyd and Hazel Wiley on December 10, 1930. Clara graduated from Trinity High School; Mercy Teaching Hospital as a Registered Nurse; California State Teachers College with a Bachelor of Arts in Education; the University of South Florida with a Master's degree in Education; and from Florida Southern College with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She married James E. Clayton who preceded her in death in 1972. She is survived by her sons, Jon M. Clayton (Connie) and Craig J. Clayton (Roseann); her grandchildren, Katharine E. Gardner and Kenneth Clayton; and great-grandchildren, Rylan Clayton and Ava Mae Gardner. She is also survived by her step-granddaughters, Diana Borger, Vicki Maxwell and Cheryl Luther, and their children. She was preceded in death by her sisters Carolyn Wiley, Mary (Sue) Turnbull and Patricia Miller, and is survived by her brother, James B. Wiley. Clara worked at various hospitals and companies as a Registered Nurse. After receiving her B.A. in Education, she taught at Dixieland Elementary in Lakeland, FL. After receiving her Master's in Education and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, she was the Chairman of the Nursing Program and also an Associate Professor of Nursing at Florida Southern College. After retiring from Florida Southern College, she enjoyed playing bridge, traveling, and working as a volunteer at Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine (LVIM). In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be sent to Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine, 1021 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland, FL 33805 or to Florida Presbyterian Homes, 16 Lake Hunter Drive, Lakeland, FL 33803. A Memorial Service at Florida Presbyterian Homes will be held on Friday, September 30, 2016 at 2:00 pm. Service: 09/30/2016 Florida Presbyterian Homes - Chapel 16 Lake Hunter Dr, Lakeland, FL 33803