The passing of our loved one has filled our eyes with sadness, but our hearts know there is no tragedy when God is involved. During the morning of Wednesday, January 29, 2020, our hearts were broken when our beloved Barbara J. Graves Clayton, 68, departed this earthly life surrounded by immediate family in Moses Cone Memorial Hospital, Greensboro, NC after a long battle with multiple Sclerosis (MS)  She was born January 8, 1952 in Leasburg, NC to the late Jonah T. Graves and Frances Richmond Graves.

At an early age she joined Sweet Gum Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Mebane, NC. After marrying in 1975, she moved to Greensboro, NC and later joined Mount Zion Baptist Church.  She graduated from Bartlett Yancy High School and later Bennett College where she was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sister, Lula B. Graves Wright and brother, Earl Graves.

Those who knew her were blessed by her presence and her many acts of love & kindness that she so often showed to others. The courage and attitude she displayed in the many years she faced health problems, were an inspiration to all who knew her.

She fought a good fight and never gave up on the belief that she would walk again, however, this materialized. During her battle with MS, she was always in a good spirit and never complained about her condition.  If you visited her at home, you would see her sitting in her wheelchair or recliner watching TV.  Some of her favorite TV programs were Golden Girls, Charmed, Gunsmoke, Bewitched, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and of course soap operas.  She would laugh as if it was the first time watching them.

Left to cherish her memories are her devoted husband of 44 years, Dewey Clayton; sons, Dewey Troy Clayton (Hattie), Marcus Clayton, and Trey Clayton (Shameeka); brother, Jonah Graves (Marilyn), and nine grandchildren.

A homegoing celebration will be held on Monday, February 3, 2020 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1301 Alamance Church Road, Greensboro.  The family visitation will be at 11:30 am followed by the service at 12:00 pm.  Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery.