John O'Neal CLAYTON

CLAYTON, John O'Neal Passed on to the Eternal Heavenly Dance Floor, July 5, 2012. Surrounded by his children, John O'Neal Clayton, Jr., Rebecca Murray Clayton, Theodore Murray Clayton; daughter-in-law Marguerite Huggins Clayton. Born November 27, 1925 in Nashville to Mr. & Mrs. John Walker Clayton, who precedes him as well as his sister, Rebecca Clayton Tarpley and the love of his life, his wife, Becky Murray Clayton. O'Neal owned and operated a Nashville institution, The Linen Store, a family owned business started by his father in 1919 in downtown Nashville on 6th Avenue. Later moving to Hillsboro Village, then to the final location in now what is the The Hill Center in Green Hills. He attended Woodmont School, Wallace University School, Montgomery Bell Academy, Vanderbilt University. Served in WWII with the WA Battalion receiving a Bronze Star. In 1946 he returned to Nashville to join his father in business. He was a member of Belle Meade County Club where he enjoyed years of tennis and friendship, The English Speaking Union SAR - Sons of the Confederacy, the Exchange Club of Nashville, and Green Hills Merchants Association. After retiring he volunteered at St. Thomas Hospital, This N That Shop, Belle Meade Mansion Plantation. O'Neal with wife, Becky were known for decades as Nashville's Dancing Couple at all Social Events including the Swan Ball where they were known to be the first on the dance floor. He will also be remembered as a stylish and colorful dresser. An avid gardener, he and Becky would host annual summer garden parties featuring his creative and loving floral and boxwood gardens. In addition to his children he is survived by grandchildren, John O'Neal Clayton, III, William Huggins Clayton, Stewart Walker Clayton, Houston Watkins Howell, Grace O'Neal Clayton; two great grandchildren; Justus and Matilda Howell; devoted sister-in-law, Emily Murray Parrish. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Belmont Village. Services will be held at St. George's Episcopal Church on Harding Road Monday, July 9, 2012 at 3 o'clock in the afternoon with visitation with his family beginning at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, his family has asked for memorials to be sent to St. George's Episcopal Church, 4715 Harding Road and Cumberland Heights, 8283 River Road, Nashville, TN 37209. As O'Neal would state "Let The Music Never Stop!"