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Joyce Clayton Obituary
Dec. 28, 1930 - July 27, 2022
Joyce Sherrill Clayton, 91, of Hickory, passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at Abernethy Laurels.
Born Dec. 28, 1930, in Sherrills Ford, she was the daughter of the late B.H. Sherrill and Lorene Settlemyre Sherrill. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Stuart Fletcher Clayton; and brother, Max D. Sherrill.
Joyce graduated from Hickory High School in 1949, where she was the president of Tri-Hi-Y, president of the Debate Club, associate editor of the Twig, president of the Beta Club and the recipient of the 1949 Girl of the Year Award. She furthered her education at UNCG and earned her master's degree at ASU.
She taught school at Myers Park Elementary School in Mecklenburg County, Catawba County, Hickory City Schools and taught at a U.S. Army base in Germany in 1956. Joyce served as the first woman on the Hickory City School Board from 1963 to 1968 and was one of the founding members of the Catawba County Chapter of the League of Women Voters in the 1970s. She was a charter member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church where she was a former member of her beloved Mary & Martha Sunday school class. She enjoyed traveling, reading and eating out with friends.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Melinda C. Faulk of Newton, Sally C. Hart of Hickory and Eleanor C. Haymond (David) of Cary; son, Stuart F. Clayton Jr. (Joe) of Palm Springs, Calif.; granddaughters, Stephanie Roberts (Brandon) of Hickory, Melanie Hart of Matthews, Anna Haymond of Greenville and Hailey Haymond of Cary; grandson, Ethan Haymond of Cary; and great-granddaughter, Andi Roberts of Hickory.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the Bass-Smith Funeral Home Memorial Building, officiated by Chaplain Susan Roddy, followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Cooperative Christian Ministries or to The Salvation Army.
www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joyce Clayton
Sponsored by Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory - Hickory.
4 Entries
Cheryl R Stiles
August 10, 2022
I am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Clayton's passing. She was my 2nd-grade teacher in the early '70s. I loved her class and she taught me so much. She was a precious woman and I will never forget her. She gave me a book for winning the spelling bee in her class, and if I'm not mistaken I still have it packed up somewhere. Prayers for her family.
Debbie Pickett Mills
July 31, 2022
Hi Sally,
Sorry to hear about Joyce. She was an amazing woman. Such personality ! I always looked forward to her visits with mom when I was around. She was the most informed of mom's friends and was so interesting to talk to! I have been thinking about her and sorry to say I have not seen her in many years.
Again, sorry for the loss of your mom - Sending love to you all. Joyce was a "tour de force"!
Kathy Hodge
July 30, 2022
I'm so sorry that Joyce passed recently...The world lost a great one and God gained an angel.... She was one of my mom's VERY best friends. I have fond memories of Joyce sitting at the kitchen table talking about girl stuff. (they were all single back then ...widows) i still remember her voice!!! She gave me a shower/luncheon before my marriage and I still have the bible (from the holy land) she gave me. She was a dedicated mom!, loved her children... An Awesome Women!!! who will be missed. Mother (Dot Pickett Ramsour) and Joyce once told me.... they agreed that they preferred each other as friends because they would tell each other the truth!... "does this look good on me"...etc.... No says a true friend! Loved both of these women. Love and Affection... KATHY HODGE
The Howell Family
July 30, 2022
I am so sorry to hear of your passing. I really wished I could have seen you one last time. We tried to meet up but life got in the way. I know I will see you when my time comes in the mean time don´t bug Pop to much till then. I love you and will miss you so much.
Love Allison, Greg and Lilly
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Memorial Events
for Joyce Clayton
Aug
2
Memorial service
4:00 p.m.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory - Hickory334 2nd Street NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Funeral services provided by:
Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory - Hickory334 2nd Street NW, Hickory, NC 28601
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