Rev. Maurice Clayton

Rev. James Maurice Clayton, 86, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. Visitation will be 5-8pm Friday, May 27, 2011 at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram. Services will be 11am Saturday May 28 at Hillcrest Baptist Church with a one hour visitation prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park.\ \ Rev. Clayton was born November 7, 1924 in Tupelo, MS to Samuel & Pearl Clayton. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and received a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Oklahoma. He also attended MS College, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and was ordained into the ministry. Rev. Clayton retired as pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Jackson after 23 years of service and he also served in Howe, TX, Sherman, MS, Tunica, MS, Meridian, MS and Desota, TX. His Hobbies included golf, fishing and gardening.\ \ He is preceded in death by his parents; sister Mildred Clayton Spence; wives Mary Louise Rice Clayton and Jackie Shaw Clayton.\ \ Survivors include his children Marcelle Clayton Duncan (Ben), Samuel Maurice Clayton (Beverly), Janean Hardister (Tommy) and Beth Wetton (Brynnly); grandchildren Mandy Duncan Miller (Chad), Clayton Duncan, Brent Duncan, Connor Clayton, Carrianne Hill, Jonathan Wetton, Christopher Hardister and 3 great grandchildren.\ \ Special thanks to Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland for their comfort and support the last week of his earthly life and to Boyd Falvey who has been like family.\