Obituary – Evalee Clayton

Evalee Clayton, age 92, daughter of James Thomas and Viola (Long) Smith, was born March 23, 1932. She passed away on January 25, 2025, at Hickory Manor Nursing Home in Licking, Missouri.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ray Dow Clayton; parents; one son, Thomas Ray Clayton; and two brothers, J.E. Smith and Doyle Everett Smith.

On October 27, 1952, Evalee was united in marriage to Ray Dow Clayton.

She is survived by three sons, Ramon Dal Clayton, Len Dow Clayton (Sherry), and Tillman Clayton (Alison), all of Licking; one sister, Deanna Smith, of Raymondville; daughters-in-law, Barbara Clayton and Theresa Clayton, of Licking; grandchildren, Jay (Brandi), Dalton (Rachel), Dow (Andrea), Curtis (Nicole), Camryn (Tommy), and Halee; and great-grandchildren, Chelsey (Jaxon), Dalen, Ralee, Keegan, Olivia, Ray, Rhett and Ella.

Evalee and Ray Dow owned and operated Shipp Lumber Company in Raymondville. Throughout her lifetime, she was a clerk at the Texas County Treasurer’s Office, Licking Livestock Auction, and managed the Tarry Inn Motel in Licking.

She attended several churches throughout her lifetime, Raymondville Methodist, Boone Creek Baptist Church, Licking Pentecostal Holiness Church, and Community Crossroads Church of Raymondville. 

Evalee enjoyed cooking, singing, playing the piano, reading her Bible and attending church with her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A visitation for Evalee will take place Tuesday, January 28, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Fox Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 11:15 a.m. at Boone Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Boone Creek Cemetery in loving memory of Evalee. Online condolences may be left at www.foxfh.net. Arrangements are entrusted to Fox Funeral Home.