Gladys Clayton

Gladys Irene (Fox) Clayton, a native of Independence, MO, died on Monday, December 15, 2014. She was 89 years old, and was the daughter of John Henry and Rosa Catherine Fox. She was married to George Allen Clayton for 42 years and spent most of her life in Independence, MO.

She is the mother of 5 daughters: Kathryn (Mike) Thayer, Mary (John) Blackburn, Sandra (Ron) Pinaire, Jan Privett, and Becky (Dean) Smyth, and the very proud grandmother of 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, John Fox, of Santa Maria, CA. Most recently, Mrs. Clayton resided at Westview of Derby (KS) Nursing Home.

At a very early age, she became a strong and devoted Christian and always worked tirelessly as a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and later the Northern Blvd. United Methodist Church. She was one of the founding group of Presbyterian ladies who organized the annual Strawberry Festival in 1960 that still ushers in the summer now at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Independence, MO. Although she never claimed to be a seamstress, she put her sewing skills to work making various garments for mission projects. Additionally, she pinched the pennies of the family income by sewing clothes for her own daughters and by providing child-care for working mothers in the neighborhood. She even contributed to the needs to the nation by working in the Fairfax B-25 bomber plant during WWII.

The funeral service, being led by Reverend Elizabeth Meador Strobel, will be held on Saturday, December 20, at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave, Independence, MO. Visitation with the family will be from 9:30am-10:30am. Service will begin at 10:30am, with burial to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Northern Blvd. United Methodist Church, 1800 S. Northern Blvd., Independence, MO 64052. No flowers, please.

Online condolences may be expressed at (Arrangements: Carson-Speaks Chapel (816) 252-7900)