ilomegotng Celebration of Htfe Jfor Jllr. 3ToI)n Carl Clapton December 16, 1938 - October 21, 2008 jffltles jHemortal CJilC Cfjurcb 2014 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd. Augusta, Georgia 30901 Church Phone (706) 722-2955 Pastor's Residence (706) 860-1921 October 25, 2008 11:00 A.M. The Reverend Jerry Poole, Pastor The Reverend J. Ronzell Maness, Presiding Elder The Reverend Othal Hawthorne Lakey, Presiding Prelate (Dtutuarp JOHN EARL CLAYTON (known as Pop, Smooth, Mechanic, Good Samaritan), was born in Bankhead, Alabama to the late Walter Lee and Mary Ellen Clayton. John was educated at Dun bar High School, Carbon Hill, Alabama. At an early age, John gave his life to Christ at Grant Chapel C.M.E. Church, Carbon Hill, Alabama John joined the Armed Forces (Army) and served faithfully for 26 years and fought in the Viet nam war. He retired and became a full-time mechanic. John always loved helping people; he had a heart of gold. If for some reason John didn't exactly agree with what you said, he didn't hesitate to give his opinion to you (straight forward was John Earl Clayton). John relocated to Augusta, GA while serving the Armed Forces. He met and married the Georgia Peach of his life, Georgene Dallas. They were blessed with two sons, Anthony Earl and Vincent Edward Clay ton. John united with the Miles Memorial C.M.E. Church where he served as a Trustee, Steward and member of the Leroy Williams Male Ensemble. John loved and worked unselfishly at Miles. John assisted in meeting the needs of the church, friends and most of all his family. John truly served mankind. After a brief illness, on October 21,2008 at approximately 3:00 A.M. at his residence, God saw fit to use this vessel in the Glories and He came and pulled a special vine named John Earl Clayton. John Earl was preceded in death by two brothers, Wilbert Lewis Clayton and James R. Clayton, one sister, Barbara Clayton Lane. John Earl's memories will be cherished by his loving and devoted wife of 48 years, Georgene D. Clayton, two sons, Anthony Earl Clayton and Vincent Edward Clayton, all of Augusta, GA, one sister, Mary Ellen (Curtis) Lane, Atlanta, GA, two brothers, Willie Barren (Monique) Clayton, Carbon Hill, Alabama and Rev. Dr. Walter Edward (Lillian) Clayton of Augusta, GA, four ador able grandchildren, Anthony Earl Clayton, Jr, Vinece Ge-Nane Clayton and Antone Edward Clayton, all of Augusta, GA, and Angel Elise Clayton who preceded him in death; three Godchil dren, Quintin Bell of Japan, and Mercy Lineberry and Litany Lineberry of Orangeburg, SC, two aunts, Sarah Noland and Lucy Reed of Carbon Hill, AL and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and wonderful friends. Jfltleg jHemortal CjfH CfmtcJ) 11:00 A.M. The Order of Worship The P re lu d e ............................................................................................................................ The Musician The Processional....................................................................................................................The Musician The Call to Worship............................................................................................The Reverend Jerry Poole Pastor Leader: Ladies and gentlemen, we have gathered at Miles Memorial CME Church to celebrate the entry of Mr. John Clayton into life eternal. Response: To affirm with praise and thanksgiving the goodness of the Lord. Leader: Let us rejoice in His presence with us, in death as in life, among those who mourn as with those who now see him face to face. Response: Our lips will shout for joy, for his love is over all that he has made. Blessed be his glorious name forever! Selection.............................................................................................. The Leroy Williams Male Ensemble The Affirmation of Faith (Inside Hymnal, opposite hymn #1) The Prayer of Comfort ....................................................................................... Bishop Rosa L. Williams Pastor, Ever Faithful Baptist Church The Scripture Lessons: Old Testament: Psalm 2 3 .......................................................... The Reverend Timothy R. Green Pastor, Jenkins Memorial CME Church New Testament: Romans 8 :3 1 -3 9 ........................................................ The Reverend Larry Fryer Pastor, Stone Chapel CME Church Selection.............................................................................................. The Leroy Williams Male Ensemble The Acknowledgements........................................................................................... Mrs. Theresa Veasley Remembering John: As a Church M e m b e r............................................................................................... Mr. M. L. Long As a F rie n d ................................................................................................... Mr. Robert Pennamon As a S o ld ie r................................................................................. The Reverend Robert F. Leverett As Godchildren.................................................... Miss Mercy Lineberry and Miss Litany Lineberry As a F a th e r..................................................................................................... Mr. Anthony Clayton A Special Tribute Niece Mrs. Roxanne Protho S o lo ...........................................................................................................................Mrs. Lillian H. Clayton The E u lo g y ........................................................................................The Reverend Dr. Walter E. Clayton Brother/Pastor, Pleasant Grove CME Church The R ecessional.................................................................................................................... The Musician The Interment Hillcrest Memorial Park Mr. Robert Clay Mr. Keith Douglas Mr. Greg Jones Mr. Herbert Wynn glcttbe Pallbearers Mr. Tony Osborn Mr. Tavares Powell Mr. Leon Ramsey Mr. John Roland ponorarp pallbearers The United States Army The Leroy Williams Male Ensemble The Stewards and Trustees of Miles Memorial Jflotoer pearers Missionaries and Stewardesses of Miles Memorial I'M FREE Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free, I'm following the path God laid for me, I took His hand when I heard Him call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day To laugh, to love, to work or play, tasks left done must stay that way, I found that peace at the close of the day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy, A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, oh yes, these things I too will miss, Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow, My life's been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, don't length en it now with undue grief, Lift up your hearts and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free. jfanttlp SUcknotolebgement The members of The Clayton Family wish to express their appreciation to the clergy, friends, and church members for what they did for John. A special debt of gratitude is extended to all our friends for the cards, visits, telephone calls, flowers, food, and other expressions of caring during the illness and death of our loved one. W. H. MAYS MORTUARY "Professional Services A Family Tradition since 1922" 1221 James Brown Boulevard - Augusta, Georgia 706-722-6401