Eva “Maxine” Clayton was born July 29, 1941, in Sleeper, Missouri to Benjamin West and Eva Alexander West. She departed this life Wednesday, October 2, 2024 in Lebanon South Nursing and Rehab. She was eighty-three years, two months and four days of age.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Eva; her husband Allen Clayton; her son, Terry Harris; and two step-children, Neva Sawyer and David Clayton; and her siblings, Nadine Robinson, Polly Burgess, Faye West and Jack West.
She is survived by her daughters, Susan Murrell and her husband James and Kimberly West and her husband Dean, all of Lebanon, Missouri; four grandchildren, Holly Betts and her husband Donny, Ben Pruitt and his wife Cassandra, Jake Murrell and Hannah Murrell; and five great-grandchildren.
Maxine, as she was known by family and friends, grew up in Sleeper, Missouri. She graduated from Stoutland High School in 1960 and was employed at the Shoe Factory in Mansfield. She then was employed at the H.D. Lee Company. She met Allen Clayton in1970 and they were married soon after.
After her marriage to Allen, she enjoyed being a homemaker and raising their children. As the children got older, Maxine entered the workforce once again at Breech Hospital, which changed to St. John’s Hospital, where she worked in the food service department at the hospital. She later was employed as a custodian at Lebanon North Nursing and Rehab.
Maxine was a member of Sleeper Pentecostal Church. She was saved in that church in 1976.
She enjoyed cooking, sewing and crocheting. She also liked farming and raising a vegetable garden every spring. She had a great garden and gave produce to friends and neighbors each year, as well as canned many, many quarts of her harvest. Maxine was fond of cats and dogs and had several over the years. She was an avid reader and seemed to always have a book in her hand.
Most of all, she loved her family very much. She looked forward to time spent with them and enjoyed family gatherings.
Maxine’s memory will be treasured forever in the hearts of her family, friends, and the many lives she touched.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Visitation will be Tuesday from 1-2 p.m. Burial will be in Barnett Cemetery. A memorial to Mercy Health Foundation or Lebanon-Laclede County Library has been established and donations may be left at the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon.
For more information or to visit the website go to www.holmanhowe.com.
