Obituary of Velda Imogene Clayton

Velda Clayton, of Newton, passed from this life on Sunday morning, June 7, 2020, at Accura Healthcare of Newton - East in Newton. 

Velda Imogene Clayton, 87, was born August 8, 1932, southwest of Kirksville, MO during the height of the Great Depression.  She is the daughter of John Franklin and Sarah (Cheesman) Hammons, one of 10 children with only five surviving to adulthood. Velda was a graduate of the Ethel (MO) Senior High, Class of 1950, she went on to receive her BS in Education from Drake University in 1972. 

On January 12, 1952, Velda was united in marriage with Russell Dwayne Clayton, in Bloomfield.  She taught school in a one-room school house near Kirksville in 1951-52 while still attending college at Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State); 1952-55 Lewis County R-1 Schools in Steffenville, MO; 1955-57 in Denmark, IA, as a 4th grade teacher; 1964-1987 at B.C. Berg Elementary, where she was one of the original teachers when the school was built.  She retired in 1987 as one of three 3^rd grade teachers.

                Velda was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church (member of the Esther Circle), and enjoyed her grand-children and great-grand-children, crafting, traveling to 48 states, plus Mexico, Canada and the British Isles.

Velda was very involved in community activities through the church, the school, Jasper County Retired School Teachers Association, Special Olympics, Jasper County Historical Museum, Spirit of ’76 Questors and the Good Sam RV camping club.

Velda is survived by her sons: Kevin (Suzanne) Clayton of Newton, and Kenneth (Sue) Clayton of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren: Betsy Provin (Ryan), Kathryn Clayton (fiancé Andrew Jaime) and Josh (Amanda) Fuessley; great-grandchildren Graclynn, Gavin, Remington Provin; Mabel Fuessley and many friends. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Russ, her parents and nine siblings.  

A time of public visitation will be 1-5 PM, Friday, June 12, 2020, at the Pence – Reese Funeral Home in Newton.  Pence – Reese Funeral Home in Newton has been entrusted with the arrangements. Interment in the Newton Memorial Park Cemetery.

  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left in Velda's name to the First United Methodist Church in Newton, IA or a charity of your choosing.