Margaret Murray Clayton

Margaret Murray Clayton, "Mags", died surrounded by her family on Friday June 13, 2014 at The Preston Health Care Center on Hilton Head Island, SC. She was born on September 23, 1929 to Robert and Mary Murray in Bronx, NY and spent her high school years with her family in Elmira, NY.  She earned degrees from Trinity College and Cornell University and taught school in Millbrook, NY. For two years while she was single and fluent in several languages, Margaret lived and worked in Europe for the U.S. Army as a social director.  There she developed her life-long love of travel which she passed on to her family. After marrying her husband George, she moved to Portsmouth, OH where they raised their family of five children and owned and operated several businesses, including E. J. Kenrick Co., Kenrick's Catalog Showroom, and Kenrick's Fundraising.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, civic volunteer and entrepreneur. She and her husband retired to Beaufort, SC in 2002 where they continued their lives of service to others by volunteering for numerous charitable organizations. They became residents of The Cypress retirement community on Hilton Head Island, SC in 2010. Margaret was a servant of the Lord and spent much of her time giving to and doing for others. She freely gave her time, talent and treasure to many in need.  Some of her more notable contributions were as President of the State of Ohio Library Board, President of the Board of Catholic Social Services, CCD Program Director/Teacher, Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister, multi-gallon blood donor, hospice volunteer, and Vice-President and Co-Founder of the Willow Way neighborhood "Mean Mothers Club". She has left a legacy of love and service for her family and others to emulate. She is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years George H. Clayton [Hilton Head, SC], and her five children: George (Ruth) Clayton [Greenville, SC], Ann (Mike) McDonald [Alpharetta, GA], Mary (Tim) Bernard [formerly of Pittsburgh, PA presently of Okatie, SC], John (Barbara) Clayton [Portsmouth, OH] and Carol (Harley) Ruff [Beaufort, SC]. Surviving also are her thirteen grandchildren (Rob, Matthew, Drew, Matthew, Grace, Sarah (Tyler), Maggie, Molly, Annie, Madeline, Clayton, Graham and Mary Virginia); two brothers, Bob (Mary) and John (Nell) Murray, brother-in-law Dick Roby and many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister and brother-in-law Mary Catherine & Leo Selewach, sister-in-law Middy Roby, sister-in-law Marion Murray, and her nephew Matthew Murray. The family wishes to thank the The Cypress' Preston Health Care Center, HomeAide Senior Care Services, Tidewater Hospice and Assistance Plus for their care during Margaret's illness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday June 20, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Beaufort, SC, immediately followed by a noon reception at the Ruff residence 51 Sunset Blvd., Beaufort, SC. Burial will take place privately with the family in Portsmouth, OH at a later date. Donations in Margaret's memory may be made to St. Peter's Catholic Church 70 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort, SC 29907, or to a charity of your choosing. Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.