Dr. Jacquelyn Ann Doyal Clayton, 82, of Irwin County, Georgia, died Saturday, November 6, 2021, at Cypress Pond Senior Care in Tifton, Georgia.
The family will receive friends Thursday, November 11, 2021, from 12:45 PM until 2 PM at Satilla Baptist Church in Irwin County, Georgia. Funeral services will follow with the Rev. William Pope officiating.
Dr. Jackie Clayton was born August 18, 1939, in Austell, Georgia, to the late Glen & Doris Thomas Doyal. She graduated from Albany High School in Albany, Georgia in 1957, where she was named Most Talented alongside her classmate, Ray Stevens. She attended Auburn University where she was a sorority member of Chi Omega. Jackie would later meet her future husband, Dr. Ray Clayton, while he was working at the base hospital in Albany as a medic. He had the rare privilege of helping to deliver their first-born child Richard. Jackie and Ray would go on to have two more sons: John and Thad and later a daughter, Raye Ann. The family was complete.
Following Ray’s military service, the Clayton family moved to Athens where Jackie earned her Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education in 1968. She would later earn Masters and Specialist level degrees from Valdosta State University. After lots of determination, perseverance, and hard work, she earned her Doctorate from the University of Georgia in 1988. Dr. Clayton spent the majority of her career teaching in the Irwin County School System. Fourth grade was her specialty and she was credited with starting the gifted education program in Irwin County. She ended her career in education as a reading interventionist. She was a sought-after teacher who had a positive impact on many lives throughout her tenure. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma.
Dr. Clayton was an accomplished pianist having been classically trained at the Music Conservatory in Albany, Georgia. She was a member of Satilla Baptist Church where she played piano over 4 decades. She had a lifelong love of music. She was an avid seamstress and a talented quilter, being especially gifted in French heirloom style handwork.
An interesting fact is that there are seven doctors in the Clayton family: Ray, Jackie, their four children and one daughter-in-law. Ray held a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, Jackie held a Doctorate in Supervision, Reading, and Gifted Education, Richard holds a Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine, John, an engineer, has a Doctorate in Boy Scouting, Thad holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Raye Ann holds a Doctorate in Audiology, and John’s wife, Andrea, holds a Doctorate from seminary in Bible studies. Dr. Clayton loved to tell the story that he and Jackie worked and financed 10 college degrees!
She is survived by her children: Richard Doyal Clayton of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, John Graber Clayton & Andrea of Texas, Thad Wilson Clayton & Ann of Ocilla and Raye Ann Clayton & Andy Barkin of California; eight grandchildren: Veronica Dorsey & Andrew, Angelica Clayton, Sam Clayton & Maddie, Joe Clayton, Maggie Clayton, Hannah Clayton, Quinna Barkin and Jack Barkin; two great-grandchildren: Kinsley and Adeline; three brothers: Mike & Maureen Doyal of Albany, Jerry Doyal of Albany, and Thomas & Julie Doyal of Tampa, Florida; and a sister, Cathy & Roger Brady of Albany. Many Nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Lewis Ray Clayton, Jr.
The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge the exemplary care given to their mother by the staff of Cypress Pond Senior Care, Georgia Living Home Health, and Homestead Hospice.